FDA's approval of phase II clinical trials of Bryostatin ( Alzheimer's disease)...

Bryostatins are a group of macrolide lactones first discovered in the late 1960s in a species of bryozoan, Bugula neritina. It is believed to be produced by symbiont bacteriato protect the bryozoan larva from predation or infection, they have cytotoxic properties and are under investigation as anti-cancer agents and as a memory enhancement agent. Bryostatin in sub-nanomolar concentrations has been shown to be a potent activator of protein kinase C.

Bryostatin has appeared very promising enhancing memory in animal models. Bryostatin was able to increase the duration of memory retention of the marine slug Hermissenda crassicornis by over 500%, and was able to dramatically increase the rate of learning in rats. Bryostatin is thought to potentiate memory by activating PKC. Animal tests suggest it may alleviate brain damage after stroke if administered within 24hrs.

Bryostatin was originally created as an anti-cancer chemotherapy. When BRNI scientists extensively tested PKC activators against Alzheimer's disease models, they discovered the drug's hidden potential to stop Alzheimer's disease. Over the past six years, the drug has shown remarkable possibilities. In preclinical testing, BRNI scientists experimented with Bryostatin on three species of Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice, each species based on different human Alzheimer's disease genes. The test results revealed that Bryostatin, and a related class of drugs discovered at BRNI, can reduce the toxic Alzheimer's disease protein A Beta, restore lost synapses, and protect against the loss of memory functions. In related preclinical testing, Bryostatin has been shown to enhance and restore memory by rewiring connections in the brain previously destroyed by stroke, head trauma, or aging itself. With FDAs approval for the phase II clinical trials, this will go a long way in the history of drug research. Bryostatin trial on Alzheimer's disease patients represents a new direction for the treatment of a disease with no current cure. Congrats Dr. Daniel Alkon (Scientific Director of BRNI) and his group...