Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is associated with loss of synaptic connectivity at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and loss of motor neurons.

Vanqua Bio Inc. announced that its development candidate VQ-101, a best-in-class brain-penetrant small-molecule allosteric activator of glucocerebrosidase (GCase), will enter clinical development in the first quarter of next year, with an initial indication in Parkinson’s disease.

University of Oxford scientists have presented data from deep proteomics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in search of proteins with diagnostic or prognostic value in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Analysis was performed using CSF samples from 40 ALS patients, 15 controls (healthy individuals) and 8 mimicking conditions.

Researchers from Autifony Therapeutics Ltd. presented preclinical data for the novel potent Kv3 channel positive modulator, AUT-00201, which is currently being evaluated in early clinical studies for the treatment of patients with progressive myoclonus epilepsy type 7 (EPM7).

Psychiatric indications, such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, share a common feature of elevated expression of pro-inflammatory markers in the periphery and/or central nervous system. Based on this, it is believed that combined immuno- and neuromodulatory activities of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors may represent a promising new therapeutic strategy for various psychiatric indications.

Subcommisural organ (SCO)-spondin is a brain-specific glycoprotein essential for neurogenesis with a high impact on neuronal development; thus, reduction in the production of SCO-spondin may lead to a lack of regeneration in neurological disorders.