Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that effects between 1 and 1.5 million American's. The number of cases is expected to double worldwide over the next 25 years. Symptom
s include resting tremor, postural instability, slowing of physical movement (bradykinesia) and, in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement (akinesia). Patients may also suffer from non-motor symptoms including dementia, mood disorders, hallucinations and sleep difficulties. There is no cure for PD although symptoms may be managed through dopamine (L-dopa) replacement.
PD most visibly effects the substantia nigra region of the brain which houses dopamine producing neurons. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that among other things regulates movement and balance. Examination of PD patient's brains have shown the presence of protein aggregates similar to those present in Huntington's Disease (HD) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). In PD, Lewy bodies are primarily composed of the protein alpha-synuclein. As in other degenerative diseases, the role of these aggregates in PD progression are not well understood.
Zenobia Therapeutics is seeking a neuroprotective treatment that will decrease the degeneration of n
eurons impacted by PD by targeting the protein kinase, LRRK2. At least 6 disease causative mutations have been observed within the LRRK2 gene. LRRK2 is expressed at high levels in dopamine producing neurons and mutation appear to be associated with both sporadic onset and hereditary PD. Zenobia is working with the most common mutation, G2019S which has been shown to activate LRRK2 and to result in neuronal death. Zenobia has demonstrated neuroprotection with their lead compounds in primary neurons in collaboration with the Christopher Ross laboratory.
Zenobia's LRRK2 program is currently underway in the following areas:
- X-ray Structure
- Biomarker
- Drug Discovery
