Neuron-Gale

Summary

A glycan-binding protein, galectin-3, has been identified as a key regulator of neuroinflammation and postulated as a target for treating Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), supported by the observations that AD patients have significantly increased galectin-3 levels and that galectin-3 knock-out mice have less amyloid plaque deposition and better cognitive functions. In this project a highly potent and specific galectin-3, non brain penetrable inhibitor will be directly infused in the brains in an in vivo AD mouse model to monitor effects of galectin-3 inhibition and potentially validate galectin-3 as a target for pharmacological intervention.

Problem

AD (and Parkinson’s) represents a large unmet medical and societal need with an estimated value of over $30 billion by 2033 (Yahoo finance). Today ~55 million people are affected, and the number is expected to increase. The economic burden is around $1.3 trillion. Current treatments, antibodies or small molecules, are not effective and at best disease-slowing and with side effects. Currently there are no potent galectin-3 inhibitors that pass the blood brain barrier.

Impact

The project aims to test a Galectin-3 inhibitor in a Proof-of-Concept study to mitigate neuroinflammation, Aß plaque deposition in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. An orally available systemic galectin-3 inhibitor for peripheral indications will be infused directly into the brain for a period of four weeks to test the research hypothesis.