Basic information

Investigator: RNDr. Karel Valeš, Ph.D.
Main recipient:  University Hospital Hradec Králové
Co-recipient: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Science
Research period: 1/5/2020 - 31/12/2023
Total budget: 16,691,000 CZK
NIMH budget: 5,701,000 CZK
Supported by: Czech Health Research Council (AZV ČR)

Annotation

Alzheimer´s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases leading to dementia represent a serious health, social and economic problem symptomatologically manifesting as cognitive disorder and dementia. Currently available treatment of the cognitive decline is based on the administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) and/or N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist memantine. Thus, to potentiate cholinergic transmission and simultaneously block the excessive Ca2+ excitotoxicity is supposed to be a promising strategy to, at least, delay the progression of the disease and enhance cognition. Motivated by previous findings, we will investigate the effect on memantine on NDMAR expression using human samples and subsequently potential benefits of dually acting compounds as the cognitive enhancers and neuroprotectants against neurogeneration. We will perform in vitro and in vivo drug development process including the GMO animals in order to deliver dually acting clinical candidates.