Ferroptosis Inhibitors For Neurodegenerative Disorders

FERROptosis inhibitors for NEUROdegenerative disorders (NeuroFerro) will focus on the development of potent compounds with improved pharmacokinetic properties, including blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability for future application in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Ferroptosis is non-apoptotic programmed cell death that has been linked to the pathophysiological processes of many diseases, including dementia, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Neurological disorders are one of the most significant causes of disability-adjusted life-years and death worldwide with very limited treatment available.

Although ferroptosis inhibitors developed by Augustyns and Vanden Berghe (supervisors) are currently best in class compounds, they suffer from no or minor BBB permeability.

Therefore the main aim of the project will be the design and synthesis of novel ferroptosis inhibitors with improved pharmacokinetic parameters and high blood-brain barrier permeability to target ferroptosis in neurodegenerative disorders.