Pre-clinical investigation phase
Scientists at Guilford have discovered a means of pre-synaptically blocking the excessive release of glutamate that occurs during neurodegeneration. During a stroke, a peptide produced in the brain called NAAG (N-Acetyl-Aspartyl-Glutamate) is converted by NAALADase (N-Acetylated-Alpha-Linked-Acidic-Dipeptidase) into glutamate. Excessive levels of glutamate are toxic to neurons. NAALADase inhibition may represent a new approach to blocking the release of excess glutamate without interfering with normal brain function.
Guilford believes that NAALADase inhibitors may turn out to be useful for the treatment of a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) peripheral neuropathies, chronic pain, schizophrenia, stroke, head trauma, spinal cord trauma, and Parkinson's disease.
In vitro (cells) laboratory testing of NAALADase inhibitors for ALS has been conducted; however, no in vivo (animals) testing has been done yet. All work on NAALADase inhibitors is pre-clinical. Guilford hopes to select a lead compound in the year 2000. For more information, contact Guilford Pharmaceuticals at (410) 631-6300.
Posted on October 17, 2008
