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Scientists report a remarkable improvement in Alzheimer's transgenic mice following treatment with a new drug. The study, published in the July 10 issue of the journal Neuron,* provides the first demonstration that an ionophore - a compound that transports metal ions across cell membranes - can elicit rapid and pronounced improvement in neuropathology and Cognitive function in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Addressing Dysregulation of Metal Ions in the Brain

Recent research has implicated dysregulation of metal ions in the brain, particularly copper and zinc, in the pathogenesis of AD and the damaging accumulation of amyloid beta (Abeta) protein that is characteristic of this devastating disease.**

The ionophore clioquinol (CQ), an 8-hydroxyquinoline, has been shown to increase intracellular copper and zinc levels and decrease Abeta levels in cultured cells and in the brains of transgenic (Tg) AD mice. However, further studies in mice and humans demonstrated that brain entry of CQ was quite limited.

Dr. Ashley I. Bush, from the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria in Australia, with Dr. Paul A. Adlard and colleagues examined the therapeutic potential of PBT2, a second generation 8-hydroxyquinoline designed for easier synthesis, higher solubility and increased blood-brain barrier permeability, in two well established Tg mouse models of AD. The Tg mice examined in the study overexpress the precursor protein for Abeta and possess mutations that cause AD in humans. One of the Tg models also expresses the human presenilin deletion mutation that also causes AD.

"Both types of Tg mice exhibit progressive spatial learning deficits that are accompanied by increasing Abeta levels and plaque formation. Demonstrating benefits of PBT2 treatment in the two separate models was both a stringency test, increasing confidence that PBT2 is more likely to show benefit in clinical trials, and also allowed us to determine whether specific forms of Abeta change in register with Cognitive improvement in both strains. This is significant as Cognitive loss in AD is not just a simple product of rising Abeta levels," explains Dr. Bush.

PBT2 was shown to be a superior ionophore when compared to CQ, and the researchers went on to test Abeta levels and Cognitive outcomes after oral treatment with PBT2.

Oral Treatment Induced Dramatic Improvement in Learning and Memory (in Mice)

"We found that oral treatment with PBT2 induced a dramatic improvement in learning and memory in both Tg models of AD, accompanied by a marked inhibition of AD-like neuropathology. These outcomes were rapid, with reduction of soluble interstitial Abeta occurring within hours, and significant Cognitive benefits seen within days of first administration of the compound," says Dr. Bush.

Recent Clinical Trials in Humans Promising

These results encourage further testing of compounds that target synaptic metals as a possible treatment of AD. Further, recent clinical trials in AD patients taking oral PBT2 have been promising and support PBT2 as a viable treatment for AD.

References:

* “Rapid restoration of cognition in Alzheimer’s transgenic mice with 8-Hydroxy Quinoline Analogs is associated with decreased interstitial Abeta,” Neuron, Jul 10 2008. Bush AI, Adlard PA, et al. [E-mail: abush@mhri.edu.au]

** “Zinc and copper modulate Alzheimer Abeta levels in human cerebrospinal fluid,” Neurobiology of Aging, Dec 2007. PMID: 18068270, by Bush AI, Strozyk D, et al.

Source: Cell Press, publisher of the journal Neuron