New Drug Reverses Alzheimer's Disease Within Days In Mouse Models

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 (Aβ) 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 Aβ 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.

This research is published by Cell Press in the July 10th issue of the journal Neuron.

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 Aβ 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 Aβ 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 Aβ 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 Aβ levels," explains Dr. Bush.

PBT2 was shown to be a superior ionophore when compared to CQ and the researchers went on to test Aβ levels and cognitive outcomes after oral treatment with PBT2. "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 Aβ occurring within hours, and significant cognitive benefits seen within days of first administration of the compound," says Dr. Bush.

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.

The researchers include Paul A. Adlard, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Robert A. Cherny, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Prana Biotechnology Ltd, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; David I. Finkelstein, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Elisabeth Gautier, Prana Biotechnology Ltd, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Elysia Robb, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Mikhalina Cortes, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Irene Volitakis, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Xiang Liu, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Jeffrey P. Smith, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Keyla Perez, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Katrina Laughton, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Qiao-Xin Li, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Susan A. Charman, Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; Joseph A. Nicolazzo, Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; Simon Wilkins, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Karolina Deleva, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Toni Lynch, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Gaik Kok, Prana Biotechnology Ltd, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Craig W. Ritchie, Metabolic and Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free & University College Medical School, London, UK; Rudolph E. Tanzi, Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA; Roberto Cappai, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Colin L. Masters, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Kevin J. Barnham, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; and Ashley I. Bush, The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.