Aminostyrylbenzofuran directly reduces oligomeric amyloid-β and reverses cognitive deficits in Alzheimer transgenic mice

PLoS One. 2014 Apr 23;9(4):e95733. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095733. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by the abnormal aggregation of amyloid-β into neurotoxic oligomers and plaques. Although many disease-modifying molecules are currently in Alzheimer clinical trials, a small molecule that inhibits amyloid-β aggregation and ameliorates the disorder has not been approved to date. Herein, we report the effects of a potent small molecule, 6-methoxy-2-(4-dimethylaminostyryl) benzofuran (KMS88009), that directly disrupts amyloid-β oligomerization, preserving cognitive behavior when used prophylactically and reversing declines in cognitive behavior when used therapeutically. KMS88009 exhibited excellent pharmacokinetic profiles with extensive brain uptake and a high level of safety. When orally administered before and after the onset of Alzheimer's disease symptoms, KMS88009 significantly reduced assembly of amyloid-β oligomers and improved cognitive behaviors in the APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse model. The unique dual mode of action indicates that KMS88009 may be a powerful therapeutic candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Benzofurans / chemistry
  • Benzofurans / therapeutic use*
  • Cognition Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Benzofurans

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea (2M28110), Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and KIST Institutional Programs (2E24582). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.