A recent study conducted by the Neurochemistry and Neurodegeneration group at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) has revealed promising results in the treatment of cognitive impairment in the early stages of dementia. The research focused on the development of a drug called WIN55.212-2, which has shown potential in protecting the brain and reversing initial cognitive damage caused by neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The study, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, highlighted the drug’s ability to activate the cannabinoid neurotransmitter system, which plays a protective role in the brain. This activation stimulates the cholinergic system, responsible for memory and learning, by increasing the synthesis of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter in cognitive function.
Dr. Rafael Rodríguez-Puertas, leading the research team, explained that the cannabinoid system initially responds to damage in the cholinergic system, which controls memory and learning, in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. As the disease progresses, the cannabinoid system also becomes impaired, indicating a potential therapeutic target for intervention.
Through testing the drug WIN55.212-2 on rodents in the early stages of the disease, the researchers observed a significant improvement in cognitive function. The drug not only reversed cognitive damage but also protected the brain, allowing the rodents to learn and remember spatial orientation similar to those without brain damage.
A novel technique developed by the research group enabled the identification and localization of lipids in the brain, providing insights into the mechanism of cognitive improvement. The drug was found to activate cannabinoid receptors, increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, and restore the damaged cholinergic system, ultimately improving memory function.
While the results from rodent studies are promising, the research team faces challenges in moving towards clinical trials due to the nature of the molecule being a free-to-use compound. However, efforts are underway to synthesize similar molecules to WIN55.212-2 that may be of interest to the pharmaceutical industry for further clinical development.
Overall, the study offers a new therapeutic approach for treating cognitive impairment in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. The collaboration between the UPV/EHU research group, CIC bioGUNE, and the University of Vigo aims to pave the way for future clinical studies in this promising field of research.
