Ascorbic Acid Helps Drugs Cross Blood-Brain Barrier

Reuters Medical News

In a discovery important to the treatment of neurological disorders, Stefano Manfredini, M.D., and researchers at the University of Ferrara have discovered that drugs used to treat these disorders appear to cross the blood-brain barrier more easily when an ascorbic molecule is attached. According to Dr. Manfredini, "Ascorbic acid works like a sort of shuttle. Theoretically it could transport onto the brain any compound." Researchers focused their efforts on the ascorbic acid SVCT2 transporter, and evaluated the results when it was added to diclofenamic acid, nipecotic acid, and kynurenic acid, drugs that are known to have difficulty crossing the blood-brain barrier. Tests were conducted in an in-vitro model and in an animal model. This research has important implications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and epilepsy, as well as viral infections, such as AIDS. A patent has been applied for this discovery. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/419736 Return to Top