Drug targeting alleviation of symptoms in AD dog patients

Knowledge Transfer Office UL

Gabriela Droga Mazovec
Tel: +386 70 538 284
E-pošta: gospodarstvo@uni-lj.si

Disturbances in memory and cognitive function, characteristic of patients with Alzheimer’s disease are the result of a severely reduced concentration of the acetylcholine transporter in the brain. Inhibition of acetylcholine hydrolysis in the brain is used to increase acetylcholine concentration and subsequently alleviate memory disorders, restore cognitive function, and relieve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and similar dementias.

The drug we have developed inhibits the hydrolysis of acetylcholine in the brain, alleviating symptoms in dogs suffering from canine cognitive impairment, which is dementia-like Alzheimer’s disease. The present invention is being tested in dogs with symptoms of AD-like dementia and our goal is to market the drug for veterinary use and further test it for human use.

Drugs developed to target Alzheimer’s disease typically cause cholinergic side effects. In consequence, limited dosage may lead to decreased efficacy in later stages of the disease. The current drug works through a different mechanism of action, limiting the mentioned side effects and additionally can function in later stages of Alzheimer’s disease.