NeoTherapeutics says drug grows brain cells in mice
LOS ANGELES, Jan 31, 2001 (Reuters) - NeoTherapeutics Inc.
on Wednesday said a drug it is developing to treat Alzheimer's disease
stimulated an increase in the number of brain stem cells in adult mice.
NeoTherapeutics said brain stem cells can restock the supply of mature
neurons and may be the foundation of self-healing of the brain.
In two studies, mice received a single dose of the drug Neotrofin, and
24 hours later the number of newly formed brain stem cells in the mice
was up significantly, NeoTherapeutics said.
The company is continuing to study whether the new cells will mature to
become neurons, which initiate and conduct nerve impulses.
The company is developing Neotrofin, which induces production of natural
protein molecules that regulate the growth and survival of neurons, as a
potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's disease.
Neotrofin is already in clinical trials for treatment of Alzheimer's. In
a Phase 2 study, patients treated with the drug experienced
statistically significant improvement in memory, attention and judgment,
the company said.
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Copyright 2001 Reuters Limited.
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Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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