Novel Compositions to Protect Against Neurodegenerative Inflammation

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Opportunity
Available for Licensing
IP Status
US Utility Patent: US 8580843
Inventors
Ron Tjalkens
Stephen Safe
At A Glance
Researchers at Colorado State University in collaboration with Texas A&M have patented novel compositions with the potential to protect against neurodegenerative inflammation, such as that seen in various illnesses (e.g., Parkinson’s Disease).
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Background
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a severely debilitating movement disorder resulting from progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Unfortunately, pharmacologic treatment for PD has not progressed beyond the use of dopamine mimetics, such as L-dopa, that only transiently alleviate motor symptoms. Furthermore, chronic use of L-dopa is associated with its own array of resultant pathologies. Ultimately, individuals suffering from PD will progress to the end stage of the disease, which is characterized by significant gait abnormalities and frequent falls, as well as a deficit in non-motor functions resulting in dementia, psychosis, and other autonomic disturbances. Over 1.5 million individuals are currently diagnosed with PD, with an additional 50,000 expected diagnoses annually, making this disease the second most prevalent neurological disorder behind Alzheimer’s disease.
While the reason for selective neuronal loss in PD remains poorly explained, chronic inflammation and activation of glial cells has been consistently observed in PD models as well as following postmortem evaluation and provide a realistic target for slowing the progression of neuronal injury.
Benefits
- Protection of neuronal cells by reducing inflammatory activation of glial cells
- Diindolylmethane-class compounds are derived from cruciferous vegetables and have demonstrated very low toxicities
- Protection against neurodegenerative inflammation by targeting the nuclear receptor, Nurr1
- Pre-clinical data includes in vivo efficacy, molecular target verification, pharmacokinetic and safety studies
Publications
Last updated: Sept 2021