A new study by two experts at Northwestern University has shown that an experimental drug known as NU-9 can be more effective for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) than existing FDA-approved drugs.
As emphasized in the latest findings in Scientific Reports, the experimental drug NU-9 lengthened the axons of diseased neurons in the rodent subjects tested.
“Here, we describe a novel in vitro platform that takes advantage of an upper motor neurons (UMNs) reporter line in which UMNs are genetically labeled with fluorescence and have misfolded SOD1 toxicity,” according to the study’s authors.
“We report that NU-9, an analog of the cyclohexane-1,3-dione family of compounds, improves the health of UMNs with misfolded SOD1 toxicity more effectively than riluzole or edaravone, -the only two FDA-approved ALS drugs to date-.”
The findings suggest that the drug’s efficacy revolves around its ability to improve axon outgrowth and axon health.
“This is very important for connecting the brain and the spinal cord and for revitalizing the motor neuron circuitry that degenerates in patients,” said the study’s lead author in a news release.
