Science

Exploring the Potential Benefits of TCAP

Discovered in the lab of Dr. David Lovejoy at University of Toronto, PTIX’s core science is based on TCAP, a naturally-occuring protein found in most animal species.

TCAP is the body’s natural regulator of stress response; PT00114 is the first ever synthetic analog of TCAP, leveraging a key biological system in the brain.

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PTIX has conducted extensive preclinical experiments demonstrating TCAP’s profound effect in reversing and preventing stress-induced neuropsychiatric disorders. In these experiments, TCAP has been shown to:

TCAP’s activity is immediate and long lasting, beginning within three hours of a single dose and persisting for weeks; TCAP has been shown to change pattern of gene expression in the brain leading to durable changes in neuronal function.

Synaptic dysfunction and physiological changes to synapse and neuronal structure are features of major disorders of the Central Nervous System including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease; PTIX is exploring the potential benefit of TCAP in these and other neurodegenerative diseases beyond the initial targets of major psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and drug & alcohol addiction.

Increase in activity in neural regions

Increase in activity in neural regions (as indicated by red/orange areas) within 3 hours of a single dose)

Significant increase in dendritic spine density in hippocampal regions

Significant increase in dendritic spine density in hippocampal regions (higher density = greater neuron signaling capacity, energy use

© 2021 Protagenic Therapeutics, Inc.