Although activation of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) provides potent analgesia and remains central to pain management, its agonists are associated with adverse effects such as respiratory depression, tolerance, dependence and pruritus. Bifunctional μ-/κ-opioid receptor (MOR/KOR) agonists aim to retain MOR-driven analgesia while leveraging the antipruritic and complementary analgesic effects of KOR activation to improve overall therapeutic tolerability.
Researchers have explored the effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) on cognitive recovery in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, a rare, neuronal antibody-mediated disorder characterized by neuropsychiatric symptoms and impaired cognitive function. hUC-MSCs have previously shown immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.
Nanjing Anji Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has discovered 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, mitochondrial (OGDH; OGDC-E1) inhibitors. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of schizophrenia, liver fibrosis, liver cancer, diabetic nephropathy, heart failure, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, among others.
Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) and cerebral small vessel disease are among the leading causes of dementia, where inflammation is known to play a crucial role. Researchers from Augusta University in the U.S. hypothesized that inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome with MCC-950 may improve cognitive decline and cerebral blood flow in a murine model of VCID.
Nxera Pharma Co. Ltd. has announced the achievement of an early development milestone by Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc for ORX-489, triggering a payment to Nxera under the companies’ research collaboration.
A circuit formed by tumor, immune and nervous systems triggers cancer cachexia and anorexia, the excessive loss of weight, muscle and fat experienced in some cancer types. A new study is the first showing these three actors of a triangle interaction that initiates and feeds the process.
Yuhan Corp. has disclosed triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) agonists described as potentially useful for the treatment of neurological disorders.
Sundance Biosciences Inc. has discovered non-receptor tyrosine-protein kinase TYK2 inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), the most common form of hereditary ataxia, is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder affecting multiple organ systems, and causing cardiomyopathy, scoliosis, muscle weakness, speech impairment and other systemic issues.
At the recent International Stroke Conference, researchers from VST Bio Corp. and Yale University presented preclinical data regarding VB-001, a monoclonal antibody that targets syndecan 2 (SDC2) and is also known as VST-002.
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