Development of Novel Drugs to Promote Functional Recovery After Brain Injury

Abstract

The central nervous system injury such as stroke can severely cause motor paralysis.Although the approach of rehabilitative training is developed, many patients still face restrictions in their daily living after rehabilitation. Thereby, a new compound with a strong potential to enhance motor function recovery with rehabilitation is an unmet medical need. We focus on the one of glutamate receptors, the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor, which plays an important role in learning and memory. Here, we found a novel small low molecular compound, edonerpic maleate, that facilitated experience-dependent synaptic AMPA receptor delivery in the barrel cortex and dramatically accelerated motor function recovery after brain damage in a rodent model. Furthermore, edonerpic maleate enhanced the upper limb function recovery of macaque monkeys with internal capsule hemorrhage. Currently, a phase 2 clinical trial is being conducted to verify the efficacy of edonerpic maleate in stroke patients and has attracted global attention.