No synaptic loss for Prana

Melbourne biotech Prana Technology’s lead compound not only reduces the amount of beta amyloid in mice models of Alzheimer’s, but it actually prevents the loss of synapses, the company says.

PBT2, a metal-protein-attenuating compound that mediates the distribution of metal ions in neurons and is aimed at restoring neuronal function, is in Phase IIa trials in early Alzheimer’s.

The compound is based on the metals hypothesis of Alzheimer's, in which copper ions released from neurons abnormally combine with beta amyloid to generate oxygen free radicals, which then damage neural tissue.

By redistributing metal ions back into the neurons themselves, the amyloid plaques then fall apart and neuronal function is restored.

Prana will present new data on synapse loss prevention at an international conference this weekend.