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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
Nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are hormones that protect brain cells from injury and death. Recent studies have shown that administration of these hormones into critical areas of the brain preserves cognitive function in aged mice and primates. However, these hormones cannot be taken orally as drugs

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
Studies performed by Dr. Jose Luchsinger, a professor at the Taub Institute of Columbia University in New York City, have shown that people with type II diabetes who have high insulin levels are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.  Metformin is a drug that lowers high insulin levels and is currently approved for the treatment of type II diabetes. By decreasing high insulin levels in the brain, Dr. Luchsinger believes Metformin may benefit Alzheimer’s patients.  If this clinical trial is successful, since Metformin is already commonly prescribed by physicians, it will be immediately available to Alzheimer’s patients.

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.