Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, represents a global public health challenge due to its complex and progressive nature. There is currently no cure for AD, and available treatments offer only limited symptomatic relief.However, a recent study carried out by the Cellular and Molecular Synaptic Function Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has brought new hope for the treatment of AD.
OIST researchers developed a synthetic peptide called PHP5, which has been shown to reverse AD symptoms in transgenic mice. PHP5 works by inhibiting the interaction between the protein dynamin and microtubules, restoring synaptic function and improving memory and learning. Intranasal administration of PHP5 modified with a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) allowed the peptide to reach the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center, effectively and safely.
Although PHP5 is not a cure for AD, it significantly slows cognitive decline, offering a new perspective for treating the disease. The promising results in mice led researchers to seek partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to begin clinical trials in humans. The expectation is that PHP5 could become an effective therapy for AD, improving the quality of life of millions of people around the world.
Reference :
Takahashi, T., et al. (2024). The dynamin-microtubule binding inhibitory peptide PHP5 rescues spatial learning and memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease model mice. Brain Research.
