Minerva Neurosciences Announces Findings Showing Effect of Roluperidone on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Minerva Neurosciences (NASDAQ:NERV) has announced findings from a pre-clinical study that show findings of the effect of roloperidone MIN-101) on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

As quoted in the press release:

This neurotrophin, which is the most widely distributed member of this class of proteins in the brain, has been associated with neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, neuroprotection, synapse regulation, learning, and memory.¹  Its involvement in schizophrenia has also been described.²

Data from this  study are being presented today at the Medicxi Forum in Venice, Italy showing that after three days of administration, roluperidone has been observed to significantly increase the release of BDNF in cultured brain hippocampal neurons in a dose dependent manner. The level of BDNF release following the administration of roluperidone increased by approximately 20 percent, comparable to the effect shown by pridopidine, the reference molecule used in the study.  Pridopidine is currently under development for Huntington disease.³

Dysregulation of BDNF has been described in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and several other neuro-psychiatric disorders. Therefore, in addition to the known neurotransmitter pathways targeted by roluperidone, particularly the serotoninergic 5-HT_2A and the sigma2 pathways, the effect of roluperidone on BDNF suggests that this investigational compound may have the potential for disease modification and improved neuroplasticity.

“These findings, along with the clinical results seen during the phase 2b study, suggest the potential of roluperidone to change the overall course of schizophrenia,” said Dr. Remy Luthringer, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Minerva.  “In addition, the BDNF findings are paving the way to explore roluperidone’s therapeutic potential beyond schizophrenia.”

Click here to read the full press release.