RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc (RSPI)

[neuroinv]

There is a hint from the Tessier-Lavigne group that Ampakines might be helpful. They refer to the 'death receptor 6' as being inactive, becoming activated as 'trophic support' diminishes. This might be addressed by increasing neurotrophin levels that provide this trophic support--and high impact Ampakines are intended to do so.

Question is--when during the developmental process does endogenous trophic support drop enough to allow the DR6 receptor to be expressed/activated? And once present and active, would it matter if you subsequently upped the neurotrophin levels, or has the genie been let out of the bottle? If the latter, one would have to provide trophic support, via Ampakines or something else, on a prophylactic basis--for years, most likely. Which would up the ante on both safety and pharmacoeconomics.

Bottom line--this article, which is getting an amazing level of coverage, that's the magic in the Genentech name--raises as many questions as it answers. But it certainly leaves open the possibility that an Ampakine might eventually participate in AD therapy.

NeuroInvestment