Northwestern University scientists say they
have developed a novel orally administered compound to help Alzheimer’s
disease patients.
The compound reportedly halts brain cell
inflammation and neuron loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The
researchers note the compound is also rapidly absorbed by the brain and
is non-toxic — important considerations for a central nervous system
drug that might need to be taken for extended periods.
The
compound, called MW01-5-188WH, selectively inhibits production of
pro-inflammatory proteins called cytokines by glia. Those are cells of
the central nervous system that normally help the body mount a
response, but are overactivated in certain neurodegenerative diseases
— such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, stroke and traumatic
brain injury.
The compound was
designed and synthesized in the laboratory of D. Martin Watterson, a
professor of cell and molecular biology at Northwestern University’s
Feinberg School of Medicine.
