ALTO-100

ALTO-100, previously known as NSI-189 (NeuralStem Inc. 189),^[3] is a drug described as a hippocampal neurogenesis stimulant and indirect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) modulator which is under development for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).^{[4][5][6][7][8]} There has also been interest in ALTO-100 for possible treatment of cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration.^[9][10][11] It is taken by mouth.^[1]

ALTO-100

Clinical data
Other names	NSI-189; NeuralStem Inc 189
Routes of administration	By mouth[1]
Drug class	Hippocampal neurogenesis/neuroplasticity stimulant; Indirect brain-derived neurotrophic factor modulators[2]
ATC code	None
Legal status
Legal status	US: Investigational New Drug
Pharmacokinetic data
Elimination half-life	17.4–20.5 hours[1]
Identifiers
IUPAC name (4-Benzylpiperazin-1-yl)-[2-(3-methylbutylamino)pyridin-3-yl]methanone
CAS Number	1270138-40-3 1270138-41-4 (phosphate)
PubChem CID	50922681
DrugBank	DB16230
ChemSpider	32701740
UNII	YVE9U408ZL
ChEBI	CHEBI:228696
ChEMBL	ChEMBL4302505
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID901025668
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C22H30N4O
Molar mass	366.509 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES CC(C)CCNC1=C(C=CC=N1)C(=O)N2CCN(CC2)CC3=CC=CC=C3
InChI InChI=1S/C22H30N4O/c1-18(2)10-12-24-21-20(9-6-11-23-21)22(27)26-15-13-25(14-16-26)17-19-7-4-3-5-8-19/h3-9,11,18H,10,12-17H2,1-2H3,(H,23,24) Key:DYTOQURYRYYNOR-UHFFFAOYSA-N N

ALTO-100's exact mechanism of action is unknown.^[3][6][7] However, it is thought to work through indirectly enhancing BDNF signaling and increasing neuroplasticity and neurogenesis in the hippocampus.^{[11][12][13][14]} The drug dose-dependently increases hippocampal volume at sufficiently high doses in rodents.^[1][12] However, it did not significantly affect hippocampal volume in humans in a clinical study.^[1] ALTO-100 is a first-in-class drug and a small molecule.^[2]

As of July 2024, ALTO-100 is in phase 2 clinical trials for MDD, bipolar depression, and PTSD.^[4] A phase 3 trial for MDD is being planned.^[4] Findings of the effectiveness of ALTO-100 in treating MDD in phase 1 and 2 trials have been mixed, although cognitive and memory improvements have been observed.^{[15][16][17][18][5][4]} ALTO-100 is under development by Alto Neuroscience^[4][8] and was previously under development by Neuralstem, Inc.^[5][19]

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Depression is associated with atrophy of the hippocampus, reduced hippocampal neurogenesis, and smaller hippocampal volumes.^[20][21] Major mechanisms thought to contribute to these changes include prolonged exposure to stress (in part mediated by increased hippocampal glucocorticoid signaling), environmental deprivation, and physical inactivity, among others.^[21][22] Reduced hippocampal volume is associated with more severe depressive symptoms, repeated depressive episodes, longer durations of depressive episodes, earlier onset of depression, and early-life adversity, among other factors.^[21][23] The hippocampus is a key structure for memory, and reduced hippocampal volumes in people with depression have been associated with cognitive and memory impairments.^[24] Antidepressant therapy has been associated with reversal of hippocampal atrophy, and hippocampal neurogenesis could be essential in recovery from depression.^{[25][26][27][28]} These changes may be mediated by increased hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling.^[27] The hippocampus is known to project to and regulate the mesolimbic dopamine reward pathway, among other areas, and dysregulation of this pathway could be involved in the anhedonia and amotivation seen in people with depression.^[24][29] On the basis of the preceding findings, enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis has been of interest for possible pharmaceutical treatment of depression.^[30][27]

ALTO-100 was identified through a neurogenesis functional screen in vitro with a library of 10,269 compounds.^[11][12][13] It has been found to enhance hippocampal neuroplasticity and neurogenesis in multiple preclinical models.^[13] In addition, the drug dose-dependently increases hippocampal volume in mice.^[1][12] In one study, there was an approximate 36% increase at 10 mg/kg and an approximate 66% increase at 30 mg/kg.^[12][31] There appears to be a bell-shaped dose–response curve, with 100 mg/kg being less effective than 30 mg/kg in stimulating hippocampal volume.^[32][31] The morphological effects of ALTO-100 are confined to the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone (SVZ) and there are no known morphological effects elsewhere in the brain.^[1][33][10] It is unknown whether the hippocampal volume increase exclusively represents neurogenesis or also includes neuropil augmentation.^[1]

The exact mechanism of action or biological target of ALTO-100 is unknown.^[3][9][11] ALTO-100 does not interact with any monoamine transporters, monoamine receptors, or amino acid targets (e.g., the NMDA receptor or the AMPA receptor).^[1] Screening against 52 neurotransmitter-related receptors, ion channels, and enzymes and screening against 900 kinases was negative.^[32] ALTO-100 is said to work in part through indirectly modulating BDNF and its signaling.^[1][14][4] It has also been found to upregulate glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Skp, Cullin, F-box (SCF) in vitro, with more robust effects on BDNF and SCF than on VEGF or GDNF.^[1] ALTO-100 has been found to increase signaling of the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) pathway, and antibodies against BDNF and SCF have been found to oppose effects of ALTO-100 in preclinical models.^[34][35]

In a small phase 1 clinical study, ALTO-100 (40–150 mg/day) for 4 weeks had no impact on hippocampal or amygdalar volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in people with major depressive disorder.^[1] There was a modest numerical increase in left hippocampal volume (b=0.35), but it was not statistically significant (p=0.12).^[1] The doses of ALTO-100 used in humans are lower than those that have been found to increase hippocampal volume in some studies in mice although not in other studies.^{[1][32][12][31]} Despite the preceding, although no antidepressant effect over placebo was apparent in a phase 2 study, ALTO-100 nonetheless produced significant cognitive and memory improvements in the study.^[15][18] The mixed effectiveness of ALTO-100 in treating depression but its apparent cognitive benefits in clinical studies has been interpreted as suggesting that reduced hippocampal volumes are more associated with cognitive alterations in depression rather than with the mood effects of depression.^[15]

Pharmacokinetics

ALTO-100 is orally active and is administered orally in the form of tablets.^[1] Peak levels of ALTO-100 are reached 1 to 2 hours after administration.^[1] Area-under-the-curve levels of ALTO-100 increase linearly across a dosing range of 40 mg one to three times per day (i.e., 40–120 mg/day).^[1] Steady state levels of ALTO-100 are reached within 4 to 5 days.^[1] The elimination half-life of ALTO-100 has ranged from 17.4 to 20.5 hours in a few different clinical studies.^[1]

Chemistry

ALTO-100 is a small molecule and benzylpiperazine-aminopyridine compound.^[2][5][36]

History

ALTO-100 was first described by 2010.^[37][38] Early development of ALTO-100 was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).^[39]

Clinical development

By Neuralstem, Inc.

NSI-189 completed a phase I clinical trial for MDD in 2011, where it was administered to 41 healthy volunteers.^[40] A phase Ib clinical trial for treating MDD in 24 patients started in 2012 and completed in July 2014, with results published in December 2015.^[10][41]

In July 2017, it was announced that a phase II clinical trial with 220 patients failed to meet its primary effectiveness endpoint (MADRSTooltip Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale) in MDD.^[42][18] However, statistically significant improvements have been reported on a number of secondary depression and cognition endpoints.^[43][44][18] Upon the announcement of the unsuccessful trial, Neuralstem stock plummeted by 61%.^[45] More detailed analysis of the trial results was released in December 2017 and January 2018. It revealed statistically significant improvements on patient-reported depression scales and in aspects of cognition for the 40 mg/day dose.^[18] Of particular note are improvements in memory (effect size Cohen's d = 1.12, p = 0.002), working memory (d = 0.81, p = 0.020), and executive functioning (d = 0.66, p = 0.048) as measured by the CogScreen computerized test.^[18][44]

In August 2020 another phase 2 study with 220 participants was done. An 80 mg dose of NSI-189 showed significant benefit over placebo in the subgroup of patients who were moderately depressed (MADRS < 30) but was not significant in patients who were severely depressed (MADRS ≥ 30). The study concluded that NSI-189 is effective as a safe adjunctive therapy, with the most significant antidepressant and pro-cognitive benefits noted in patients with moderate depression.^[46]

In addition to MDD, Neuralstem had said that it has intended to pursue clinical development of NSI-189 for a variety of other neurological conditions, including traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, stroke, and to prevent cognitive and memory decline in aging.^[9]

By Alto Neuroscience

In 2021, Neuralstem merged with another company to become Palisade Bio, who in 2021 sold NSI-189 to an unknown buyer for up to $4.9 million.^[47] In 2024, it was revealed that this buyer was Alto Neuroscience, which is now developing NSI-189 under the new developmental code name ALTO-100.^[19][3]

Preliminary effectiveness of ALTO-100 in the treatment of MDD has been demonstrated in new phase 2 trials.^[48][49][50] A significantly larger improvement in depressive symptoms (~46%) was observed in patients with a cognitive biomarker compared to patients without the biomarker profile in phase 2 studies published in 2023.^{[48][49][50][12]} This cognitive biomarker was determined by a web-based memory test.^[12]

Other drugs under development by Alto Neuroscience as of August 2024 include ALTO-203 (histamine H₃ receptor inverse agonist), ALTO-300 (agomelatine reformulation—melatonin MT₁ and MT₂ receptor agonist and serotonin 5-HT_2C receptor antagonist), and ALTO-202 (NR2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor antagonist).^[51][52] As with ALTO-100, they are all under development for treatment of major depressive disorder.^[51][52]

Research

NSI-189 was additionally under development by Neuralstem for treatment of a variety of conditions besides major depressive disorder, including Alzheimer's disease, Angelman syndrome, brain injuries, cognition disorders, diabetic neuropathy, neurodegenerative disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stroke, and diabetes, but no recent development has been reported for these indications as of September 2022.^[5]

ALTO-100 is being developed by Alto Neuroscience exclusively for treatment of major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder as of July 2024.^[4]

See also

• List of investigational antidepressants

References

1. McIntyre RS, Johe K, Rong C, Lee Y (June 2017). "The neurogenic compound, NSI-189 phosphate: a novel multi-domain treatment capable of pro-cognitive and antidepressant effects". Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs. 26 (6): 767–770. doi:10.1080/13543784.2017.1324847. PMID 28460574. S2CID 205768353.
2. "Alto Neuroscience Receives Funding Award from Wellcome Trust to Accelerate Development of ALTO-100 in Bipolar Depression Leveraging Precision Psychiatry Approach". Nasdaq. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
3. Osborne R (5 August 2024). "New PTSD fix in the offing? Lykos PDUFA nears, Alto forges ahead". BioWorld. Retrieved 5 August 2024. ALTO-100, formerly known as NSI-189, is a small molecule that has been shown to induce neurogenesis via the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway. The mechanism of action on BDNF by ALTO-100 is not clear, but preclinical studies brought about an increase in the volume of the hippocampus of healthy mice.
4. "ALTO 100". AdisInsight. Springer Nature Switzerland AG. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
5. "NSI 189". AdisInsight. Springer Nature Switzerland AG. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
6. Dejanovic B, Sheng M, Hanson JE (January 2024). "Targeting synapse function and loss for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases". Nat Rev Drug Discov. 23 (1): 23–42. doi:10.1038/s41573-023-00823-1. PMID 38012296.
7. Singewald N, Sartori SB, Reif A, Holmes A (March 2023). "Alleviating anxiety and taming trauma: Novel pharmacotherapeutics for anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder". Neuropharmacology. 226: 109418. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109418. PMC 10372846. PMID 36623804.
8. Brady LS, Lisanby SH, Gordon JA (2023). "New directions in psychiatric drug development: promising therapeutics in the pipeline". Expert Opin Drug Discov. 18 (8): 835–850. doi:10.1080/17460441.2023.2224555. PMID 37352473.
9. Bouhassira EE (15 June 2015). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Stem Cell Research. SAGE Publications. pp. 843–. ISBN 978-1-4833-4767-7.
10. Fava M, Johe K, Ereshefsky L, Gertsik LG, English BA, Bilello JA, et al. (October 2016). "A Phase 1B, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, multiple-dose escalation study of NSI-189 phosphate, a neurogenic compound, in depressed patients". Molecular Psychiatry. 21 (10): 1372–1380. doi:10.1038/mp.2015.178. PMC 5030464. PMID 26643541. The brains of treated mice showed significantly increased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and significantly increased hippocampal volume (Data on file, Neuralstem, non-peer-reviewed). NSI-189 is believed to have a highly specific effect in the hippocampus and subventricular zone, the two well-known neurogenic regions in adult central nervous system, and nowhere else in the central nervous system (Data on file, Neuralstem, nonpeer-reviewed).
11. Neuralstem (March 2016), Neuralstem Inc. March 2016 Corporate Presentation (PDF), retrieved 25 March 2016^{[dead link]} Alt URL
12. ALTO Neuroscience (July 2024). "ALTO-100: Phase 2B Development for MDD" (PDF). ALTO Neuroscience. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
13. "S-1". SEC.gov. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024. Prior to the Merger, Seneca exclusively licensed certain patents and technologies, including a sublicense covering a synthetic intermediate, of our NSI-189 assets (189 License), along with a purchase option through December 16, 2023 (Purchase Option). On October 22, 2021, Alto Neuroscience ("Alto") agreed to terms of an early exercise of the Purchase Option under the 189 License and entered into an asset transfer agreement ("ATA").
14. Anderson S (3 August 2023). "Developing psychiatric drugs with precision focus". Drug Discovery News. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
15. Beckervordersandforth R, Rolando C (February 2020). "Untangling human neurogenesis to understand and counteract brain disorders". Curr Opin Pharmacol. 50: 67–73. doi:10.1016/j.coph.2019.12.002. PMID 31901615. The small molecule NSI-189 stimulates cell proliferation in the hippocampus and — to a lesser [extent] — in the [subventricular zone (SVZ)]. Rat preclinical study unravelled its protective role following stroke [48]. In a small clinical phase Ib study on patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), treatment with NSI-189 associates with significant improvements in depressive and cognitive symptomatology with no alterations in hippocampal volume (Table 1 and [49]). In 2019, a clinical phase II study confirms the efficacy of NSI-189 in improving cognitive impairments in MDD patients, while no clear positive effect on depression was detected [50]. Despite the mechanism of action of NSI-189 is unknown, these results suggest that human [adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN)] is involved primarily in cognitive alterations rather than depressive symptoms in MDD.
16. McNerlin C, Guan F, Bronk L, Lei K, Grosshans D, Young DW, et al. (November 2022). "Targeting hippocampal neurogenesis to protect astronauts' cognition and mood from decline due to space radiation effects". Life Sci Space Res (Amst). 35: 170–179. doi:10.1016/j.lssr.2022.07.007. PMID 36336363. [NSI-189] progressed to Phase-II clinical trials for evaluation of its effects on mitigating depression (Papakostas et al., 2020). Although the drug was well tolerated over 12 weeks at daily doses of either 40 or 80 mg, the primary endpoints for the clinical trial were not met. Interestingly however, cognitive benefits were noted at 40 mg, which included response accuracy on executive function testing mental flexibility, response speed on a measure of choice reaction time, and accuracy on a measure of delayed recall for symbol digit paired associates (Johe et al., 2020). The failure of the NSI-189 to get FDA approval for use in MDD and/or cognitive decline highlights the need for development of drugs based on specific targets and not phenotypic screens.
17. Dhir A (January 2017). "Investigational drugs for treating major depressive disorder". Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 26 (1): 9–24. doi:10.1080/13543784.2017.1267727. PMID 27960559.
18. Papakostas GI, Johe K, Hand H, Drouillard A, Russo P, Kay G, et al. (July 2020). "A phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of NSI-189 phosphate, a neurogenic compound, among outpatients with major depressive disorder". Mol Psychiatry. 25 (7): 1569–1579. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0334-8. PMC 7303010. PMID 30626911.
19. "FORM 10-K" (PDF). Retrieved 5 August 2024. Prior to the Merger, Seneca exclusively licensed certain patents and technologies, including a sublicense covering a synthetic intermediate, of our NSI-189 assets ("189 License"), along with a purchase option through December 16, 2023 ("Purchase Option"). On October 22, 2021, Alto Neuroscience ("Alto") agreed to terms of an early exercise of the Purchase Option under the 189 License and entered into an asset transfer agreement ("ATA"). [...] In addition, Alto will be required to pay us up to an aggregate of $4.5 million upon the achievement of certain development and regulatory approval milestones for NSI-189 (or a product containing or otherwise derived from NSI-189), which is now known as ALTO-100. [...] Alto has successfully completed a Phase 2a clinical trial of ALTO-100 and is currently enrolling a Phase 2b clinical trial from which topline data is expected in the second half of 2024.
20. Santos MA, Bezerra LS, Carvalho AR, Brainer-Lima AM (2018). "Global hippocampal atrophy in major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging studies". Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 40 (4): 369–378. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2017-0130. PMID 30234890.
21. Lee MM, Reif A, Schmitt AG (2013). "Major depression: a role for hippocampal neurogenesis?". Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 14: 153–179. doi:10.1007/7854_2012_226. PMID 22903751.
22. Sapolsky RM (October 2000). "Glucocorticoids and hippocampal atrophy in neuropsychiatric disorders". Archives of General Psychiatry. 57 (10): 925–935. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.57.10.925. PMID 11015810.
23. Nolan M, Roman E, Nasa A, Levins KJ, O'Hanlon E, O'Keane V, et al. (2020). "Hippocampal and Amygdalar Volume Changes in Major Depressive Disorder: A Targeted Review and Focus on Stress". Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks). 4: 2470547020944553. doi:10.1177/2470547020944553. PMC 7513405. PMID 33015518.
24. MacQueen G, Frodl T (March 2011). "The hippocampus in major depression: evidence for the convergence of the bench and bedside in psychiatric research?". Mol Psychiatry. 16 (3): 252–264. doi:10.1038/mp.2010.80. PMID 20661246.
25. Eliwa H, Belzung C, Surget A (October 2017). "Adult hippocampal neurogenesis: Is it the alpha and omega of antidepressant action?". Biochem Pharmacol. 141: 86–99. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2017.08.005. PMID 28800956.
26. Lino de Oliveira C, Bolzan JA, Surget A, Belzung C (June 2020). "Do antidepressants promote neurogenesis in adult hippocampus? A systematic review and meta-analysis on naive rodents". Pharmacol Ther. 210: 107515. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107515. PMID 32109488.
27. Björkholm C, Monteggia LM (March 2016). "BDNF - a key transducer of antidepressant effects". Neuropharmacology. 102: 72–79. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.10.034. PMC 4763983. PMID 26519901.
28. Esalatmanesh S, Kashani L, Akhondzadeh S (2023). "Effects of Antidepressant Medication on Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration and Neuroplasticity in Depression: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies". Avicenna J Med Biotechnol. 15 (3): 129–138. doi:10.18502/ajmb.v15i3.12921. PMC 10634295. PMID 37538241.
29. Carboni E, Carta AR (August 2022). "BDNF Alterations in Brain Areas and the Neurocircuitry Involved in the Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine in Animal Models, Suggest the Existence of a Primary Circuit of Depression". J Integr Neurosci. 21 (5): 144. doi:10.31083/j.jin2105144. hdl:11584/344840. PMID 36137960.
30. Dhikav V, Anand KS (2007). "Is hippocampal atrophy a future drug target?". Med Hypotheses. 68 (6): 1300–1306. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2006.09.040. PMID 17098374.
31. Johe K (30 June 2018). "Fast-Acting Synaptic Plasticity Effects of NSI-189 at High Doses" (PDF). Retrieved 10 August 2024.
32. "Neuralstem Inc. March 2016 Corporate Presentation". SEC.gov. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
33. Xie WS, Shehzadi K, Ma HL, Liang JH (2022). "A Potential Strategy for Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders by Regulation of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Human Brain" (PDF). Curr Med Chem. 29 (32): 5315–5347. doi:10.2174/0929867329666220509114232. PMID 35579169.
34. Liu Y, Johe K, Sun J, Hao X, Wang Y, Bi X, et al. (January 2019). "Enhancement of synaptic plasticity and reversal of impairments in motor and cognitive functions in a mouse model of Angelman Syndrome by a small neurogenic molecule, NSI-189". Neuropharmacology. 144: 337–344. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.10.038. PMID 30408487.
35. Tajiri N, Quach DM, Kaneko Y, Wu S, Lee D, Lam T, et al. (October 2017). "NSI-189, a small molecule with neurogenic properties, exerts behavioral, and neurostructural benefits in stroke rats". J Cell Physiol. 232 (10): 2731–2740. doi:10.1002/jcp.25847. PMC 5518191. PMID 28181668.
36. Markati T, Duis J, Servais L (July 2021). "Therapies in preclinical and clinical development for Angelman syndrome". Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 30 (7): 709–720. doi:10.1080/13543784.2021.1939674. PMID 34112038.
37. "Neuralstem files FDA application for first drug therapy". EurekAlert!. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
38. Philippidis A (15 September 2011). "U.S. Stem Cell Firms Partnering Overseas: Companies Find It Easier to Navigate Regulatory Requirements in Asia and Europe". Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. 31 (16): 16–18. doi:10.1089/gen.31.16.05. ISSN 1935-472X. In Japan, the company came to terms with the wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo, Summit Pharmaceuticals (www.summitpharm.com), to market development and licensing rights for NSI-189, Neuralstem's lead small molecule neurogenic compound. It is currently in an FDA-approved Phase I trial for major depression. The company has said it intends to take NSI-189 through Phase II trials before seeking a partner for worldwide rights.
39. "Neuralstem Files FDA Application For First Drug Therapy NSI-189 For The Treatment Of Major Depression". Bioprocess Online for bioanalytics, biopurification, bioproduction. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2024. NSI-189 stimulated neurogenesis of human hippocampus-derived neural stem cells in- vitro. In mice, NSI-189 both stimulated neurogenesis of the hippocampus and increased its overall volume as well. Therefore, NSI-189 may reverse the human hippocampal atrophy seen in major depression and schizophrenia. This program has received significant support from both the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
40. Clinical trial number NCT01310881 for "Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics (PK) Study of Novel Neurogenic Compound NSI-189" at ClinicalTrials.gov
41. Clinical trial number NCT01520649 for "Multiple-Dose Pharmacokinetics (PK), and Pharmacodynamic (PD) Effect of NSI-189 Phosphate in Depression Patient Subjects" at ClinicalTrials.gov
42. "Neuralstem Announces Top-line Phase 2 Data of NSI-189 for Major Depressive Disorder" (Press release). Neuralstem Inc. 25 July 2017.
43. "Neuralstem: NSI-189 Phase 2 Trial Fails To Meet Primary Efficacy Endpoint". NASDAQ.com. 2017-07-25. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
44. "Neuralstem Inc. Corporate Presentation" (PDF). January 2018.
45. Court E (July 25, 2017). "UPDATE: Neuralstem stock plummets 61% on news of mid-stage clinical trial miss".
46. Johe KK, Kay G, Kumar S, Burdick KE, McIntyre RS, Papakostas GI, et al. (August 2020). "NSI-189 phosphate, a novel neurogenic compound, selectively benefits moderately depressed patients: A post-hoc analysis of a phase 2 study of major depressive disorder". Annals of Clinical Psychiatry. 32 (3): 182–196. PMID 32722729.
47. "Palisade Bio, Inc. Announces Sale of Seneca Asset NSI-189 for the treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders". 22 October 2021.
48. Bratulic A (10 January 2023). "Alto says depression drug shows 'clear' clinical signal in biomarker-defined patients". FirstWord. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
49. Jordan J, Cooper N, Badami F, Powell J, Wu W, Etkin A, et al. (December 2023). "P229. Identification and Prospective Replication of a Cognitive Biomarker for Predicting the Antidepressant Effect of ALTO-100, a Novel Pro-Plasticity Drug, in Patients With Major Depression: Results From a Large Phase 2a Study" (PDF). Neuropsychopharmacology. 48 (Suppl 1 (ACNP 62nd Annual Meeting: Poster Abstracts P1 – P250)): 63–210. doi:10.1038/s41386-023-01755-5.
50. Jordan J, Cooper N, Badami F, Powell J, Wu W, Etkin A, et al. (2024). "206. Identification and Prospective Replication of a Cognitive Biomarker for Predicting the Antidepressant Effect of ALTO-100, a Novel Pro-Plasticity Drug Candidate, in Patients With Major Depression: Results From a Large Phase 2a Study". Biological Psychiatry. 95 (10): S184. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.02.441.
51. PhRMA. "2023 Medicines in Development – Mental Illness" (PDF). PhRMA. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
52. "Programs". Alto Neuroscience. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.

External links

• What To Make Of New Positive NSI-189 Results? - Slate Star Codex