The study of two drugs which are mixed sigma-1 agonists are designed to assess their anti-amnesic and neuroprotective effects.
The study includes a model to which oligomeric amyloid 25-35 fragments are injected into the brain of rodents which mimic AD.
The data showed that Anavex 2-73 and its metabolite Anavex 19-144 protect against amyloid 25-35-induced oxidative stress, measured by lipid peroxidation in hippocampal cells, a key area of the brain associated with learning and memory.
Anavex 1-41 and its metabolite Anavex 2-140 also showed the similar effects, but are not as selective for sigma receptors as Anavex 2-73.
Anavex executive chairman Cameron Durrant said these neuroprotection data may translate into clinical studies as they continue to explore disease-modifying approaches with their family of compounds and the lead small molecule, Anavex 2-73.
"We eagerly await results from the Anavex 2-73 Phase I clinical trial, which is scheduled for completion soon," Durrant said.