Neurolixis Inc. has been awarded a research grant by the Michael J. Fox Foundation to undertake a two year project entitled "Enhanced activity in rodent models of Parkinsonism and L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia by preferential targeting of sub-populations of 5-HT1A receptors". Although some 5-HT1A receptor agonists have shown potential in the treatment of PD, many are poorly selective, metabolicaly unstable and/or insufficiently active at appropriate 5-HT1A receptor sub-populations. The project will use pre-clinical models to examine the effects of novel, highly selective and efficacious "biased agonists" targeting sub-populations of 5-HT1A receptors in those brain regions relevant to therapeutic properties. If the results of this study are promising, subsequent studies will aim to take novel drugs into preclinical and clinical development.

Read the Michael J. Fox Foundation announcement.