CELLULAR tests

  • Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. It is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by an extracellular accumulation of neurotoxic fibrillar amyloid beta peptide (Aβ). Compelling evidences indicate the extracellular accumulation of Aβ is already present at the asymptomatic (preclinical) stage of AD. Thus, early intervention to prevent Aβ accumulation appear as attractive strategies for AD treatment.


    New functional assay for Amyloid lowering drugs

    NEUROFIT has developed a functional neuronal assay that accumulates extracellular Aβ. The system is tailored to assess the efficiency of Aβ lowering drugs such as BACE inhibitors. In parallel, the assay provides also information about the potential safety or neurotoxicity of the tested drug.

  • BACE inhibitor screening assay


    The example below illustrates the inhibition of Aβ production by BMS-299897 (γ-secretase inhibitor) in cultures of hippocampal neurons (Left Panel). The Right panel indicates that BMS-299897 becomes neurotoxic at concentration ≥ 300 nM.


    ☐ BMS-299897

  • *** statistically significant as compared to the Control.

    Inhibition of production of Aβ1-42 by BMS-299897 in cultures of hippocampal neurons.
  • ** statistically significant as compared to the Control.

    Effect of BMS-299897 on the survival of hippocampal neurons in cultures.


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