CNS and Cardiovascular Agents
Toyama Chemical has been putting in extensive efforts in research and development of compounds for Alzheimer's disease (AD) from as early as the 1980's, in order to provide treatment for the increasing number of patients who suffer from dementia, a consequence of the growing population of elderly people. No effective therapy is yet established to conquer AD, which is a big burden not only for the patient, but also for patient's family. Toyama Chemical is carrying out research to develop the effective drugs to not only AD but also other neuronal degenerative diseases.
Subjects of research
T-817MA
Currently available drugs for AD in the world are mainly choline esterase inhibitors, which provide symptomatic relief through activating acetylcholinergic neuron in the brain. According to this mechanism, however, such drugs are regarded to be ineffective at addressing the underlying causes of the disease, and do not prevent the progression of the disease in the long term.
T-817MA has neuroprotective properties. Toyama Chemical has demonstrated that T-817MA prevents neurodegeneration induced by Amyloid-β protein. Accumulation of Amyloid-β protein is considered to be central to the pathogenesis of AD. The neuroprotective properties of T-817MA were also observed in a mutant tau induced AD model. Besides these neuroprotective properties, T-817MA also promotes neurite outgrowth. On the basis of the currently available nonclinical data, Toyama Chemical considers T-817MA to be one of the most promissing neuroprotective agents in preventing the progression of AD. Toyama Chemical has started phase 2 clinical trials in U.S. since April 2008.
![[Photo]T-817MA](pack/images/cns_img_01.jpg)
