Oligomers of Aβ peptide are strong neurotoxins and their presence correlates with the progression of pathological changes in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially the so-called familial form of this disease (fAD). Thus the potential therapies for this disease are considered to inhibit the formation of toxic Aβ oligomers and/or neutralize already formed Aβ oligomers. Our research has led to the identification of short peptides - prion protein fragments - effectively inhibiting the neurotoxicity of Aβ oligomers in neuronal culture (Nieznanska H. et al., 2018). We conjugated these peptides with a carrier (modified dendrimers) allowing for their transport through the blood-brain barrier and increasing their effectiveness and biostability. Since these novel conjugates inhibit the formation of neurotoxic Aβ oligomers as well as neutralize already formed oligomers, we presume that they can be useful both in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The subject of the patent are said conjugates, their usage and the procedure of their synthesis.
Patent was granted in USA. Nencki Institute is the co-owner of the applicable rights with Case Western Reserve University. The institute is responsible for patent protection and commercialization related activities.
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