New drug could ‘slow neurodegenerative disease’

A novel drug has been shown to slow the progression of neurodegenerative disease in mice, giving hope for those investigating treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow’s new Advanced Research Centre (ARC) found the new drug, which selectively activates the M1-receptor, extended the lifespan of nice with neurodegeneration.

Writing in today’s Science Signaling, the team say this breakthrough indicates that, beyond treating symptoms, M1-PAMs may also be able to slow the overall progression of the disease.

Professor Andrew Tobin, director of the ARC and professor of molecular pharmacology at the University of Glasgow, said: “The world desperately needs clues as to how to stop neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and our study is of critical importance as we show that many of the features of the disease seen in our animal model can be halted by our drug treatment.”

Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease can only target symptoms, including memory impairment, and there is none that can yet stop or slow the progression of the disease. However, this study shows there is a potential new drug candidate.

The drug used in the study follows more than a decade of research at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and the University of Glasgow.

The Vanderbilt University team are testing an M1-PAM in humans as a treatment for memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Professor Craig Lindsley, lead scientist at Vanderbilt University said: “This is a very important moment, as we genuinely have the prospect of not only treating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, including memory loss, but that we might actually be able to slow the disease and increase the lifespan of sufferers from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.”

Lead study author Dr Louis Dwomoh, of the University of Glasgow, added: “The findings mark a substantial step forward in a potential treatment for this terrible disease.”

M1 muscarinic receptor activation reduces the molecular pathology and slows the progression of prion-mediated neurodegenerative disease. Science Signaling 16 November 2022.