Metabolic Solutions Development Company has received a $773,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) to conduct a pilot phase II trial of MSDC-0160, MSDC’s compound for the treatment of metabolic diseases associated with altered mitochondrial function.

“MSDC-0160 is a novel insulin sensitizer that modulates mitochondrial metabolism.  Growing evidence suggests that loss of mitochondrial function and decline in brain glucose metabolism could be a contributing cause of Alzheimer’s disease.  This study will help us determine if MSDC-0160 affects glucose utilization in specific regions of the brain and determine the feasibility of conducting future large-scale clinical studies in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease,” said Jerry Colca, president and chief scientific officer of MSDC.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study will involve patients ages 55-85 diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease.  Up to 50 patients will be randomized to receive either MSDC-0160 (150 mg) or placebo once daily for 90 days.  The effects of MSDC-0160 on brain glucose utilization (measured by FDG-PET) and the safety profile of the compound will be analyzed in addition to global cognitive function.  The study will be performed at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. The principal investigator is Raj C. Shah, M.D., medical director of the Rush Memory Clinic at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Analysis of brain glucose utilization will be performed in collaboration with the innovative imaging company Abiant.