In a recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine , researchers conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 2a trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of LM11A-31 in managing Alzheimer's disease (AD) through p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75 NTR ) modulation. Late-onset AD is the most common form of dementia, characterized by synaptic failure, degeneration, and loss. Although two primary AD medications target the buildup of abnormal amyloid-β or tau protein, they only address a subset of the pathophysiology.
Another option is to focus on deep biology, which involves receptors and signaling networks that influence fundamental biological pathways. Preclinical studies show that modulating p75NTR with the first-in-class small chemical LM11A-31 reduces amyloid-induced and pathological tau-induced synapse loss. Study: p75 neurotrophin receptor modulation in mild to moderate Alzheimer disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2a trial .
Image Credit: Burdun Iliya / Shutterstock In the present randomized clinical trial, researchers investigated whether LM11A-31 could delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease by modulating p75 NTR in humans. The researchers administered oral capsules of LM11A-31 in 200 mg and 400 mg doses versus placebo in a 1:1:1 ratio to 242 mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease patients over 26 weeks. Participants had biologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease (cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Amyloid β protein 42 (Aβ42) below 55.
