Anavex Life Sciences Corp (OTCMKTS:AVXL) highlighted the findings of a new report published in the popular peer-reviewed scientific journal. As per the report released in Neuroscience Letters, microglial inflammation, which is considered as one of the reasons leading to devastating neurodegenerative problems, can be cured by sigma-I receptor activation.
It is shown through real-time in vivo imaging. The report throws light on the role of sigma-I receptor and states that its activation can reduce negative responses that are seen when chronic microglia over activates in the area. The problem of over activation is the major cause of cell death and occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases. It often leads to brain injury and Alzheimer’s disease.
The details
Anavex explained that Microglia are the immune cells to protect CNS. Whenever a person gets a brain injury, it is the function of Microglia to clear the damaged part by engulfing dying neurons. However, there are instances when the responses are exaggerated due to which the person suffers from neurodegenerative diseases.
The report highlights that the receptor controls the damaging function of chronic microglial responses. They are specific to damage reaction and do not affect the normal functions of microglia within the brain. The results are surely positive for Anavex’s lead drug candidates.
The trials
Anavex’s CEO Christopher U. Missling, PhD considers the results as quite encouraging and appear to validate the therapeutic impact of the sigma-1 receptor agonists. The company’s lead drug ANAVEX 2-73 is in a Phase II a clinical study to treat indications in Alzheimer. The ongoing drug is expected to minimize the devastating impact of microglial response and neuroinflammation. Missling added that the expert team is pleased to record the potential for the sigma-I agonist lead drug therapeutics to block chronic inflammation in Alzheimer and also in several other CNS diseases.
In last trading session, the stock price of Anavex declined more than 14% to close the trading session at $0.330.
