Development
of Hsp90 inhibitors as novel therapeutics for AD
Investigator(s): Gabriela
Chiosis, PhD
Institution(s):
Sloan-Kettering Institute
Duration: 2007 - 2008
The
protein Hsp90 has been recently identified as a key
element that promotes and sustains protein misfolding, one of the aberrant
events that
occur in several neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease. This
suggests that
Hsp90-inhibitor drugs may represent a potentially novel class of drugs for
the treatment
of Alzheimer's disease. These drugs could promote the survival of neurons and
may
delay the onset or progression of the disease. The PI's laboratory has
identified and
developed such Hsp90 inhibitor agents, and in the current grant application
request
funding to further develop these agents as possible novel therapeutics in
Alzheimer's
disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.