This podcast highlights new developments in neuroscience, including a drug repurposing fund and a drug target for early-onset dementia. It also mentions a potentially game-changing schizophrenia drug entering human trials. Additionally, the podcast discusses a collaboration agreement for schizophrenia and osteoarthritis research, new insights on osteoarthritis treatment, and a study on lineogen's effects on platinum resistant ovarian cancer.
TAF-15 protein aggregates found in early onset dementia provide a potential target for diagnostic tests and treatments.
Guiding principles for drug development in amiotropic lateral sclerosis aim to enhance preclinical studies and de-risk clinical trials for motor neuron disease.
Deep dives
Identifying abnormal protein aggregates in early onset dementia
Scientists have discovered abnormal aggregates of a protein called TAF-15 in the brains of individuals with early onset dementia, known as Fronto-Temporal Dementia. This finding could potentially serve as a target for future diagnostic tests and treatments. The researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to study protein aggregates in the brains and identified TAF-15 as the key protein responsible. This discovery transforms our understanding of the molecular basis of Fronto-Temporal Dementia.
New guidance for drug discovery in motor neuron disease
Guiding Principles for Drug Discovery and Development in amiotropic lateral sclerosis has been published to enhance the translation of drug development efforts from the lab to the clinic. The white paper outlines an evidence-based approach to preclinical studies, aiming to de-risk clinical trials of novel therapeutics for motor neuron disease. The guidance provides recommendations for improving the optimization and conduct of preclinical studies. It is part of a funding call from LifeARC, which aims to repurpose drugs for MND and supports data science and AI-driven approaches for drug candidate identification.
Promising treatments for schizophrenia and osteoarthritis
A potential treatment for schizophrenia, NMRA 266, has been cleared by the US FDA for phase one clinical trials. The drug candidate, an allosteric modulator, works by targeting the M4 muscarinic receptor. Additionally, a study from the University of Adelaide has discovered a novel population of stem cells marked by the gremlin one gene, which may contribute to cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis. This new understanding could lead to pharmaceutical treatments that reverse osteoarthritis, offering better health outcomes and quality of life for those with the disease.
The latest episode of the DDW Highlights podcast is now available to listen to below. DDW’s Megan Thomas narrates five key stories of the week to keep DDW subscribers up-to-date on the latest industry updates.
The news highlights this week are mostly focused around neuroscience, with new guiding principles and a drug repurposing fund launched for motor neuron disease research, a new drug target found for early-onset dementia, and a possibly game-changing schizophrenia drug entering human trials.