Scientists ID New Therapeutic Target For Alzheimer's Drugs
A team of scientists at the Roskamp Institute reported that they have identified a new molecule that could be a new therapeutic target for drugs against Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers were initially studying the mechanism of action of the anti-hypertensive drug Nilvadipine when they noted that the drug also reduced amyloid protein accumulation. Accumulation of this protein plays a key role in the formation of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Not only that, but Nilvadipine influenced the tau protein, another protein which, together with amyloid is implicated in the damage and ultimate death of brain nerve cells. By influencing the two culprit proteins, Nilvadipine decreased neuro inflammation.
Upon further investigation, the scientists found that the drug targets a molecule known as the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) enzyme. When they blocked SYK activity, they discovered that the molecule was behind the inflammation, accumulation of amyloid protein, and modulation of the tau protein implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Daniel Paris, neurobiologist and the one who led the study, said, “These studies suggest there is a single drug target to inhibit all the three key pathologies of Alzheimer’s disease… The potential for developing a single “multi-modal” drug treatment that will control all three of these Alzheimer’s characteristics has us very excited. All of these pathologies are interrelated. In theory, by interrupting these three molecular pathways, we can develop more effective drugs to stop the disease.” Dr. Paris added that current drugs are designed to address only one Alzheimer’s pathology, implying that the discovery may be useful in the development of a 3-in-1 drug for Alzheimer’s disease.
The team published their findings entitled “The Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (syk) Regulates Alzheimer’s Aβ Production and Tau Hyperphosphorylation” in the online version of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
The Roskamp research team said that they are looking for opportunities to partner with both academic and industry-based groups to advance their findings into clinical development. A Phase 3 trial of the drug in AD is presently ongoing in the EU. Dr. Fiona Crawford, Roskamp Institute CEO, said, “We didn’t know, until now, that SYK was a possible therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease. We’d be delighted for anyone to come up with an “anti-SYK” treatment to stop Alzheimer’s.”
As Alzheimer’s treatments are hard to come by and clinical trials more often than not end with disappointing results, there have been several key partnerships forged to come up with some much needed answers. One of these most recent initiatives includes an alliance between AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly, which is currently centered on the development of an investigational drug that also targeted amyloid plaque accumulation.