For use as amyloid plaque binding ligands in non-invasive early detection of AD and other neuronal protein aggregation disorders.

Summary

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common, debilitating
neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly, often distinguished by
cognitive decline, irreversible memory loss, disorientation, and
language impairment. Post mortem inspection of AD brains show
an abundance of senile plaques, composed of aggregated protein
deposits of β-amyloid (Aβ) fibrils, neurofibrillary tangles, reactive
astrocytes, and activated microglia in the neocortex and
hippocampus. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical
Center have created ten derivatives of poly fluorinated
bis-styrylbenzenes for use as amyloid plaque binding ligands in
non-invasive early detection of AD and other neuronal protein
aggregation disorders. These compounds can be useful for probing
β-amyloid plaque deposition using 19F MRI, and can also be used
to inhibit the aggregation of multiple β sheet forming proteins. Of
these compounds, two promising FSB analogues (Aβ-7 and Aβ-9)
show particular promise as these compounds can cross the blood
brain barrier more efficiently than presently known β-sheet binding
molecules .

Market Value

Accurate, sensitive methods to detect Aβ plaques, such as the FSB
analogues, would be beneficial to not only understanding the
mechanism behind this disease, but could also potentially serve as
protein inhibitors. Furthermore, these compounds can be used to
diagnose other protein aggregation related diseases, many of
which have viable treatment methods. Another potential use can
be for preventing aggregation of islet amyloid polypeptides which
develop pancreatic amyloid plaques in type II diabetes.

Features and Benefits

• Non-invasive technique to image and quantitatively analyze amyloid deposits
• Diagnostic tool for protein aggregation related diseases
• Acute sensitivity and accuracy
• Potential use as a therapeutic agent

Application Filed

TID 18

UNeMed currently offers a variety of licensing options and collaborative development opportunities with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.