AIT-082, a novel purine derivative with neuroregenerative properties.

Preclinical and clinical evidence support the effectiveness of neurotrophins in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and neurodegenerative diseases. Delivery of neurotrophins to target sites in the brain remains a major obstacle for their use in humans. Development of orally active agents that mimic the effects of nerve growth factor and other neurotrophins provides a promising alternative therapeutic strategy. AIT-082, a purine analogue, has been shown to reverse age-induced memory deficits in mice and is a growth factor-mimetic agent. It is orally active, rapidly penetrates the blood-brain barrier and induces the production of multiple growth factors at the appropriate target site in the central nervous system (CNS).