Updated Drug Could Treat Traumatic Brain Injuries Linked to Increased Risk for Neurodegenerative Disease
May 6, 2024
Repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries, often experienced by service members and veterans, can increase risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Breakthrough BrightFocus-funded research has identified a drug that shows great promise in treating repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries and could reduce risk for later neurodegeneration leading to dementia.
Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, result from a physical injury to the brain or a violent blow or jolt to the head. TBIs cause symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and fainting. They can also cause behavioral or mental problems that include confusion, memory or concentration difficulties, mood changes, depression, and sleep disturbances.
About Mitochon Pharmaceuticals
Mitochon was founded in 2014 with the mission to develop treatments for insidious diseases through the modulation of mitochondrial physiology, with applications to neurodegeneration, neuromuscular, and developmental diseases. Mitochon’s lead programs, MP101 and MP201, specifically harnesses the power of the mitochondria to provide broad neural protection. These compounds elicit mild increases in energy expenditure that result in strengthening cellular survival—similar to the positive effects seen with fasting and exercise. These compounds also induce an important neurotrophin, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), involved in cognition and neural growth. Mitochon is supported by Ben Franklin Technology Partners Southeastern PA, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.