Drug Discovery
Cognitive Enhancement
Allopregnanolone as a Neurogenic Factor for Recovery
of Neurons in Alzheimer's Disease
Investigator(s):
Roberta Diaz Brinton, Ph.D.
Institution(s): University of Southern California
Duration:
Summary:
Year 1 of the ISOA preclinical project was designed
to determine whether allopregnanolone (APα), a small blood brain barrier permeable neurosteroid, promoted
generation of new neurons in transgenic animal models of Alzheimer's disease.
In parallel, it determined the efficacy of APα
as an expansion factor for human neural progenitor
cells (hNPC). Results of these analyses provide preclinical evidence
regarding the efficacy of APα to serve as a regenerative neural stem cell factor in AD.