Neuroplastogens are an emerging class of compounds that promote neuroplasticity in the brain without inducing hallucinogenic effects. Transneural Therapeutics Inc. has presented data regarding their new neuroplastogen TN-001 for treating major depressive disorder; TN-001 was assayed in vitro and in vivo.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition with limited effective therapeutic options to date, where 5-HT2A receptor agonists show promise for enhancing cortical plasticity in the brain and aiming in the processing of trauma. Engrail Therapeutics Inc. has presented data for their 5-HT2A agonist and dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonist neuroplastogen ENX-205 for the potential treatment of PTSD.
For decades, scientists have searched for a mechanistic link between viral infection and multiple sclerosis (MS). Insights from three studies recently published in Cell bring that connection into sharper focus. By tracing how the immune system responds to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) – and how those responses can misfire against the brain – researchers are beginning to uncover a compelling biological explanation for MS.
Years after approving three glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists to treat obesity, the U.S. FDA is acknowledging that the drugs don’t have the same risk seen with older weight-loss medicines. Citing its post-market evaluation that found no increased risk of suicidal ideation or behavior, the U.S. FDA is requesting that the risk be removed from the warnings and precautions section of labeling for the GLP-1 obesity drugs – Eli Lilly and Co.’s Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Novo Nordisk A/S’ Saxenda (liraglutide) and Wegovy (semaglutide).
Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a lethal neurodegenerative disorder caused by pathogenic expansion of CAG repeats within the atrophin-1 (ATN1) gene. As DRPLA belongs to the broader class of repeat expansion disorders (RED) that are driven by toxic gain-of-function effects, reduction or elimination of ATN1 expression is predicted to provide therapeutic benefit.
Perhaps the biggest indicator of U.S. President Donald Trump’s activism in his second term is the 225 executive orders (EOs) he issued in 2025. The pace of those orders seems to have slowed, with “only” 16 released in the last quarter of the year. Four of the recent EOs could impact drug and device companies in a myriad of ways.
The U.S. FDA has approved Zycubo (copper histidinate) as the first treatment for Menkes disease, a rare, genetic disease affecting children who cannot absorb copper through their intestines, leading to seizures, weak muscles, a failure to thrive and, ultimately, if left untreated, an early death by age 3.
Researchers at Iama Therapeutics Srl and Italian Institute of Technology have disclosed solute carrier family 12 member 2 (SLC12A2; NKCC1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of Down syndrome.