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Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation Third Annual Connoisseur's Dinner Fund a Biotech / Fund a Scientist |
| The Science Auction is a unique opportunity for Connoisseur’s Dinner guests to contribute directly to some of the most promising projects in Alzheimer’s disease drug discovery research. Fund a Biotech Dr. Frank Longo, Chairman of Neurology and Neurosciences at Stanford University Medical Center, has created small molecules that mimic NGF and BDNF action and can be taken orally. In mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, NGF mimetics protected animals from cognitive decline. BDNF is particularly exciting since some research suggests that physical exercise releases BDNF and is the mechanism by which exercise protects the brain. To accelerate this research, ADDF assisted Dr. Longo to start a biotechnology company in 2005 called PharmatrophiX, which is dedicated to the development of small molecule mimetics of NGF and BDNF. The company is currently in the final stages of negotiating a license for its NGF program with a major pharmaceutical company. Now, more funding is needed to accelerate the BDNF program. Fund a Scientist Both ADDF and the National Institute on Aging have recognized the importance of this study and contributed some funding for a pilot study. However, more funding is needed to increase the number of patients in the trial and more reliably determine if Metformin is an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
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Return to Third Annual Connoisseur's Dinner Recap The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery
Foundation (ADDF)
Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
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