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February 13, 2001 Neurochem Reports Key Findings on Role of Inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease.
Genetic Predisposition Found for Level of Inflammatory Response
in Brain Cells of Mice.
Neurochem Inc. (TSX : NRM) announced the results of a study which examined the genetic
predisposition of inflammatory responses of brain cells to amyloid protein, a key
element of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Genetics play a role in the way mice respond to
different inflammatory stimuli. The study demonstrates that genetics also play an
important role in the way microglia, the brain macrophages, respond to the presence
of amyloid (Ab). The results suggest that differences in levels of microglial inflammation,
caused by amyloid, are genetically linked and could alter the sequence of events leading
to the neurodegeneration in AD. These results were reported at the IBC Conference on
Alzheimer's Disease held in Atlanta (Georgia, U.S.) on February 8
th, 2001. About the study
Research has shown that the level of inflammatory response to pathogenic stimuli is genetically
controlled. In the study presented last week at the IBC Conference, the objective was to
determine whether the level of microglial response to Ab is also genetically controlled.
In the presence of Ab, activated microglia, the brain phagocytes, induce an inflammatory
response leading to the release of neurotoxic factors. Using genetically different strains
of mice known to have low or high response to inflammation, researchers analyzed key markers
following stimulation with Ab. A morphological analysis of the microglia as well as a
measure of inflammatory mediators produced by these cells showed a significant difference
in the activation of microglia in one strain compared to the other. This means that there
is a genetic predisposition to the neurotoxic effect that amyloid has on microglia. This
suggests that differences in the levels of the microglial inflammatory response to amyloid
could alter the sequence of events leading to neurodegeneration in AD. Neurochem's Technologies
Neurochem currently focuses on the development of therapeutic agents for several major diseases
characterized by the presence of toxic deposits of amyloid protein. These amyloid deposits,
namely amyloid fibrils, are abnormal aggregates of naturally occurring proteins. These
fibrillary structures are associated with many diseases grouped under the generic name
Amyloidosis. The amyloid deposits build up in specific tissues or organs, such as in
Alzheimer's Disease where they form plaques in the brain. Alternatively, the tiny,
needle-like amyloid fibril deposits can be widely distributed throughout the body, as
in certain systemic diseases such as Secondary Amyloidosis. Amyloid deposit formation is
the result of the interactive combination of several components including the sulphated
glycosaminoglycans or GAGs, common to all deposits and an amyloid protein, which is
specific to each disorder and normally exists in soluble form. When they interact, the
protein changes shape and aggregates, thus forming a toxic amyloid deposit. Neurochem's GAG Mimetics
Neurochem's innovative core technology consists of the design and synthesis of compounds
that mimic GAGs properties. These GAGs promote amyloid fibril formation. Neurochem's
synthetic compounds compete with the naturally occurring GAGs by binding to the amyloid
protein thereby interfering with the formation and deposition of amyloid aggregates.
This biochemical "deception" has been proven successful in studies showing
the compounds disrupting the formation of beta amyloid, amylin (IAPP), amyloid AL and
amyloid A, indicators of Alzheimer's Disease, Diabetes, and of Primary and Secondary
Amyloidosis, respectively. About Neurochem
Neurochem is a leader in the development of novel, proprietary compounds that inhibit
the formation, deposition and toxic effects of amyloid fibrils within the body.
Neurochem's research team has been working with international amyloid experts on the
development of therapeutic cures to amyloid-related diseases, including Alzheimer's
Disease, Secondary Amyloidosis, Diabetes Type II and Hemorrhagic Stroke due to Cerebral
Amyloid Angiopathy. Neurochem has advanced three drug candidates to clinical trials for
Alzheimer's Disease, Secondary Amyloidosis and Hemorrhagic Stroke.
All of the statements contained in this news release, other than statements of fact which
are independently verifiable at the date hereof, are forward-looking statements. Such
statements, based as they are on the current expectations of management, inherently involve
numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown. Some examples of known risks are: the
impact of general economic conditions, general conditions in the pharmaceutical industry, changes
in the regulatory environment in the jurisdictions in which Neurochem does business, stock
market volatility, fluctuations in costs, and changes to the competitive environment due to
consolidation or otherwise. Consequently, actual future results may differ materially from
the anticipated results expressed in the forward-looking statements.
For further Information, please contact: |
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