As the brain gets older or in conditions like Alzheimer’s, inflammation becomes a major problem that damages brain cells, leading to issues like memory loss and confusion. Two key molecules, NF-κB and NLRP3, play a big role in causing this harmful inflammation. However, current drugs that target these molecules often have side effects because they also affect other parts of the body. In this study, scientists from Colorado State University independently tested Sachi Bio's Nanoligomer drug cocktail that targets NF-κB and NLRP3 in the brain.
They tested this treatment on three groups of mice: older, healthy mice and mice with a condition similar to Alzheimer’s. After four weeks, the treatment reduced brain inflammation and improved how the mice performed in tasks that test memory and learning. It also calmed down the brain cells that contribute to inflammation and helped protect the neurons, which are critical for thinking and memory. These positive effects were not just limited to the brain—they also extended to other parts of the body, showing that this treatment could be safe and effective.
The treatment also reduced the activation of glial cells, which are known to contribute to brain inflammation, and promoted healthier gene activity in both neurons and glial cells. The overall health benefits extended beyond the brain, with positive effects seen in the whole body. This research lays the groundwork for future studies, which may explore using Nanoligomers as a possible treatment to slow or prevent cognitive decline in aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
The results from this study suggest that these Nanoligomers could be a promising new approach for treating brain inflammation and cognitive decline, both in normal aging and in diseases like Alzheimer’s. The hope is that this type of targeted therapy could one day lead to better treatments that improve quality of life for aging individuals and those with neurodegenerative diseases.
Devin Wahl, Sydney J. Risen, Shelby C. Osburn, Tobias Emge, Sadhana Sharma, Vincenzo S. Gilberto, Anushree Chatterjee, Prashant Nagpal, Julie A. Moreno, Thomas J. LaRocca* (2024). Journal of Neuroinflammation 21 (182).