Drug Discovery

Neuroprotection

Role of tPA and tPA Blockers in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

Investigator(s): Sidney Strickland, Ph.D., Professor

Institution(s): The Rockefeller University, New York, NY

Duration: 2001 - 2002

Summary:

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), damage to brain tissue may be caused, in part, by increased activity of enzymes called “proteases”. Proteases have an important natural function but they can breakdown brain tissue and kill brain cells if their levels are not controlled. Dr. Strickland has found that a brain protease called tPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) destroys brain cells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that participates in learning and memory. tPA is well known as an anti-stroke drug which can remove blood clots from blocked blood vessels. Dr. Strickland’s research suggests that tPA can have a toxic effect in the brain which is independent of its beneficial effect in removing blood clots. Therefore excessive tPA in the absence of a blood clot may cause damage to the brain in AD. In the present program, Dr. Strickland aims to determine the effect of tPA and inhibitors of tPA in an animal model of AD.