A molecule that goes straight to the brain to extinguish the symptoms of Parkinson's disease: this is what the researchers of the State University of Milan will develop thanks to a grant won as part of the Seed4Innovation scouting program, promoted by the UNIMI Foundation in collaboration with the Management Innovation and Enhancement of University Knowledge.
Parkinson's is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to a continuing decline in motor control and quality of life. Almost 10 million people suffer from this disease and there will be 40 million in 2040 as a result of the progressive increase in life expectancy. To date, there are no truly effective drugs, because potentially useful molecules are unable to overcome the blood brain barrier that separates the brain from the bloodstream.
Starting from information acquired in almost 50 years of research activity in the field of the central nervous system, the University team has designed a molecule, namely an oligosaccharide called OligoGM1, which mimics some components of the membranes of neurons.
Injected into mammals, OligoGM1 was found to be able to overcome the blood brain barrier.
Administered to mice with Parkinson's, it led to a rapid recovery of motor and biological functions.
The researchers' goal is to carry out the entire experimentation path up to clinical trials on humans, in the hope that oligosaccharide can become a useful drug for patients.
The project is carried out by a research team formed by Sandro Sonnino, Elena Chiricozzi, Laura Mauri, Maria Fazzari and Giulia Lunghi.