Researchers from New York University Abu Dhabi and Denver University are developing a technology that supports treatments for brain diseases

A team of researchers from New York University Abu Dhabi and Denver University has succeeded in developing small molecules that can help slow the progression of serious brain diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, or even stop them completely, which heralds the possibility of developing treatments that go beyond symptom management.

In the new study, which was published in the international journal Science Translational Medicine, Majzoub’s laboratory at New York University Abu Dhabi and Kumar’s laboratory at the University of Denver, in cooperation with international partners, developed a special type of small molecules designed to prevent this harmful accumulation, and the molecule, known as SK-129By preventing the protein from clumping and spreading in the brain.

The team tested the effect of molecules SK-129 On a wide range of disease samples, including human cells, patient-derived tissues, and organisms, in all cases, researchers observed a reduction in disease-related adverse effects.

The researchers also pointed out the ability of molecules SK-129 It crosses the blood-brain barrier, a protective layer that often prevents drugs from reaching the brain, and in experiments on mice, the treatment significantly reduced the progression of disease-related damage to the brain.

Mazen Majzoub, associate professor of biology at New York University Abu Dhabi and co-lead author of the study, stressed the importance of this step in developing treatments that target the root cause of these diseases. Instead of treating only the symptoms, we seek to slow or stop the disease itself.