RXR: A Therapeutic Target in Neurodegenerative Disease

Summary

A new rexinoid drug can rapidly remove existing plaques and lower Abeta peptide levels with improvement in memory and cognition within one week in amyloidogenic mouse models of AD. We propose to determine if this drug acts to prevent neuronal loss and dysfunction in two mouse models of neurodegeneration due to overproduction of Abeta or a mutant form of tau.

Project Details

A drug that is taken by mouth has been shown to lower beta-amyloid levels and remove existing plaques in the brains of mouse models with Alzheimer's disease. In this research project, Dr. Gary Landreth and colleagues will be testing whether this drug also can prevent damage to brain cells in another type of Alzheimer's disease mouse. If it does have protective effects, it could be put on the fast track for human clinical trials. This drug holds particular promise due to its disease modifying actions.