Drug Delivery
New Target for Diagnosing, Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases
WARF: P140125US02
Inventors: Su-Chun Zhang, Hong Chen
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in exploring neurofilament regulation as a therapeutic target for ALS, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Overview
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease with no effective treatment. In patients with ALS, the neurons in their brains degenerate, leading to cognitive and physical breakdown. Other neurodegenerative afflictions include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.
All these diseases share a common feature – structural proteins called neurofilaments (which provide support to neurons) clump up or tangle. The common view is that these tangles are the result of the disease, not the cause. That view is now being challenged.
All these diseases share a common feature – structural proteins called neurofilaments (which provide support to neurons) clump up or tangle. The common view is that these tangles are the result of the disease, not the cause. That view is now being challenged.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have demonstrated that neurofilament tangles lead to subsequent degeneration and death of motor neurons in ALS patients. They also discovered that these tangles are caused by the reduced expression of a type of neurofilament mRNA. Thus, neurofilament regulation appears to be a promising target for drug screening and gene therapy.
The researchers conducted their studies using motor neurons derived from ALS patients.
The researchers conducted their studies using motor neurons derived from ALS patients.
Applications
- Research models, drugs and gene therapies targeting neurofilament regulation
Key Benefits
- New avenue for treating ALS and potentially other neurodegenerative diseases
- May lead to earlier diagnosis
Stage of Development
In vitro testing.
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
Publications
- Chen et al. 2014. Modeling ALS with iPSCs Reveals that Mutant SOD1 Misregulates Neurofilament Balance in Motor Neurons. Cell Stem Cell. 14, 796-809.
Tech Fields
For current licensing status, please contact Andy DeTienne at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9857