ROS-Scavenging Magnetic Nanozymes with Remote Activation for Alzheimer Disease - ROSSCA

Project summary

This project proposes a new therapeutic strategy against Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative condition that is the prevalent cause of dementia worldwide. We will develop a dual-function magnetically triggerable synthetic nanozyme designed for nanomechanical disruption of amyloid-beta (Aβ) / hyperphosphorylated tau deposits under low-frequency ac magnetic fields, while restoring redox equilibrium by mimicking specific ROS-scavenging antioxidant enzymes. The physical action on the Ab/Tau deposits will provide independence from the molecular specificities of current therapeutic drugs in AD, while the catalytic action could add a synergistic therapeutic effect. These nanozymes will be delivered with the final readiness level apt for preclinical trials, assessed for toxicological safety and neuroprotective efficacy in a rat model of AD. This therapy will be potentially transferrable to other neurodegenerative diseases of related etiology of toxic buildups of proteins.