Currently, no cure exists for Alzheimer’s disease, the devastating neurological disease affecting more than 5 million Americans.
But scientists are now reporting new progress on a set of compounds, initially developed for cancer treatment, that shows promise as a potential oral therapy for Alzheimer’s. Their study appears in ACS’ Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
Carlo Ballatore, Kurt R. Brunden and colleagues explain that in a healthy brain, the protein known as tau binds to and stabilizes microtubules, which are cellular components made of protein inside cells. Microtubules are critical for performing many processes in the cell, such as growth and division. In the brain, they are particularly important for transporting molecules or other “cargo,” such as nutrients. But in people with Alzheimer’s disease, tau doesn’t bind well to microtubules and clumps up in the brain. That leaves microtubules in disarray. Scientists believe that this process leads to the mental problems associated with the disease, including memory loss, dementia and ultimately nerve cell death. The researchers have previously shown that when agents that can stabilize microtubules are given to mice with Alzheimer-like traits, their cognition has improved, and nerve cell loss is reduced. But the experimental compounds so far have not been good drug candidates mainly because they must be injected, which can be painful. The Ballatore and Brunden teams wanted to test a series of compounds, already identified as potential anti-fungal and anti-cancer agents, that patients might one day be able to take orally.
They gave the compounds to mice by mouth and found that the drugs reached the brain, took on the role of tau and stabilized microtubules in the animals’ brains. This led the scientists to conclude that the molecules from these classes could be good oral therapy candidates for treating Alzheimer’s and related disorders.
The Latest on: Alzheimer’s
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Alzheimer’s” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Alzheimer’s
- Challenging Old Theories: Innovative Microscopy Exposes New Alzheimer’s Treatment Pathwayson April 27, 2024 at 3:35 am
Researchers at UC San Diego have utilized advanced imaging techniques to explore the metabolic processes behind Alzheimer's disease, leading to potential new strategies for treatment. Alzheimer's ...
- Commentary: As Alzheimer’s risk grows, caregivers need supporton April 27, 2024 at 2:30 am
According to a new report from the Florida Chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated one in eight people are living with Alzheimer’s. More than 840,000 are serving as their unpaid ...
- Alzheimer's All-Star Basketball Classic's founder, Gordon Thomas, inspired by dad's battle with diseaseon April 26, 2024 at 11:50 am
Celeste Taylor, Lester Quinones and Diego Maldonado are just a few of the talented players who have participated in the competitions.
- Neuroscientists Warn of 'Cascading' Alzheimer's Risk From These Two Habitson April 26, 2024 at 10:37 am
The habits produce a "synergistic effect" on our risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease and general cognitive decline.
- AI helps researchers uncover gut-brain interactions in Alzheimer'son April 26, 2024 at 10:00 am
AI technology reveals more information about the gut-brain health link in Alzheimer's, suggesting new pathways for research around treatments.
- For Beaten-Down Maker of Alzheimer’s Drug, Good Enough Will Doon April 25, 2024 at 8:00 am
In-line sales for Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi and a beat for rare-disease drug Skyclarys has Wall Street giving Biogen another chance.
- Florida clinic plans to treat 10,000 Alzheimer’s patients a year. Look at what’s comingon April 25, 2024 at 7:20 am
Roskamp’s planned Bishop-Parker Clinic will enable Roskamp to assess, treat and support more than 10,000 patients a year, Wendy Deming, CEO of the Bishop-Parker Foundation, said Wednesday.
- Aggressive Alzheimer's patients don't have to suffer under Medicaidon April 25, 2024 at 2:10 am
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services do not allow chemical restraints like sedation in any state for obvious reasons. Indiana is no exception. Aggressive individuals cannot be kept in a ...
- The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease in their 40s or 50s could be underestimatedon April 24, 2024 at 8:33 am
Could you develop this disease at such an early age? Your family history could be telling, medical professionals say.
- Biogen cost cuts drive profit beat, as Alzheimer's drug off to slow starton April 24, 2024 at 8:15 am
Biogen beat market estimates for first-quarter profit on Wednesday as a series of cost-cutting measures helped offset the impact of fierce competition for its older drugs, sending its shares up nearly ...
via Bing News