Drug Discovery

Cognitive Enhancement

Tests of therapies aimed at mitochondrial deficits in neurodegenerative diseases

Investigator(s): Gary Gibson, Ph.D.

Institution(s): Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Duration:

Summary:

As Alzheimer's Disease (AD) progresses, brain metabolism gradually declines as damage to nerve cells caused by oxidative stress occurs. The metabolic decline correlates with reductions in certain enzymes within mitochondria, the energy Ôgenerators' of the cell. As a by product of their biochemical reactions, mitochondria produce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and altered mitochondrial function can be plausibly linked to the formation of plaques and tangles, to memory deficits and to inflammation Ð all of which are present in brains of AD patients. The goal of the proposed studies is to test whether the use of resveratrol (a component of red wine and an antioxidant) can reverse or delay the inflammation and oxidative stress, reduce the formation of plaques, and minimize the memory deficits that occur in animal models of plaque formation. This could form the basis for development of treatment strategies using resveratrol or its derivatives.