Drug Discovery

Anti-amyloid

Development of a New Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease using anti-aggregatory Beta-Synuclein Derived Peptides

Investigator(s): Manfred Windisch, PhD

Institution(s): JSW Research Forschingslabor GmbH, Graz, Austria

Duration: 2001 - 2003

Summary:

Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the aging population. These disorders are characterized by the abnormal aggregation and accumulation of brain proteins including beta-amyloid and alpha-synuclein. The former protein is found in brain structures known as senile plaques and the latter is found within Lewy Bodies. It is generally accepted that these aggregates play a central role in causing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. One treatment approach for these disorders is to prevent the aggregation and accumulation of these proteins. In this proposal JSW will use small molecules, known as peptides, to block the formation of alpha-synuclein aggregates and to develop a novel therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease based on the anti-aggregatory potential of these peptides.