X-Message-Number: 31183
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:47:20 -0700
From: Hugh Hixon <>
Subject: Protecting Neurons Could Halt Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Diseas...



http://www.biosciencetechnology.com/ShowPR.aspx?PUBCODE=090&ACCT=9000000100&ISSUE=0811&RELTYPE=RLSN&PRODCODE=0000000&PRODLETT=K&CommonCount=0
Protecting Neurons Could Halt Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Diseases

Researchers at Southern Methodist University 
(SMU) and The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) 
have identified a group of chemical compounds 
that slows the degeneration of neurons, a 
condition that causes such common diseases of old 
age as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and amyotropic 
lateral sclerosis (ALS). Their findings are being 
featured in the November edition of Experimental Biology and Medicine.

SMU Chemistry Professor Edward R. Biehl and UTD 
Biology Professor Santosh R. D'Mello teamed to 
test 45 chemical compounds. Four were found to be 
the most potent protectors of brain cells, or neurons.

The synthesized chemicals, called "3-substituted 
indolin-2-one compounds” are derivatives of 
another compound called GW5074 which was shown to 
prevent neurodegeneration in a past report 
published by the D'Mello lab. While effective at 
protecting neurons from decay or death, GW5074 is 
toxic to cells at slightly elevated doses, which 
makes it unsuitable for clinical testing in 
patients. The newly identified, second generation 
compounds maintain the protective feature of 
GW5074 but are not toxic   even at very high 
doses   and hold promise in halting the steady 
march of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Release date: November 10, 2008

Source: Southern Methodist University

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