Daniel Paris, Ph.D.
The Roskamp Institute
Sarasota, Florida

2008 Investigator-Initiated Research Grant

The protein fragment beta-amyloid tends to accumulate into toxic clumps within the Alzheimer brain. These clumps appear to disrupt cell-to-cell communication and cause brain cell death. In studies with mice, scientists have found that lowering brain levels of beta-amyloid can also reduce brain cell loss and improve cognitive function. Thus, the development of optimal beta-amyloid reduction treatments is a key strategy of Alzheimer research.

Daniel Paris, Ph.D., and colleagues have identified a novel compound that has reduced beta-amyloid levels in cultured cells and in mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer-like symptoms. This compound, called celastrol, is extracted from an Asian plant long used in traditional Chinese medicine.

For their study, Dr. Paris and colleagues will conduct more extensive tests with engineered mice to assess the ability of celastrol to reduce beta-amyloid levels and improve cognitive function. Results of this effort could lead to a novel drug therapy for Alzheimer's disease.