Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial begins at UH medical school

A clinical trial on a drug that researchers hope will reduce inflammation in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease will begin at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).
The JABSOM trial involves an investigational therapy, NP001, developed by Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.

This study aims to determine whether a single dose of NP001 will affect blood markers that indicate inflammation in individuals with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, is currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. While the cause of the disease is unknown, there is increasing evidence that suggests neuroinflammation may play a role in disease progression.

NP001, Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals’ lead investigative therapy, is designed to help regulate neuroinflammation.

“Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, there is presently no cure for the more than five million Americans living with the disease,” said Beau Nakamoto, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and principal investigator. “Given the key role inflammatory monocytes and macrophages may play in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, researching immune regulators—like NP001—is critical to understanding more about this serious and complex disease.”

Applications are still being accepted. To sign up call:

Debbie – (808) 692-1332
or
Lorna – (808) 692-1333

For the complete story, go to http://jabsom.hawaii.edu/news-media/uh-med-now/.