Low-dose Intravenous Methamphetamine
The neuroprotective effects of low-dose intravenous methamphetamine in the mammalian
brain is a novel discovery of the Poulsen Laboratory at the University of Montana.
Historically, methamphetamine is widely understood to be a potent neurotoxin, known
to cause significant permanent loss of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons in
the mammalian brain with significant exposures. In humans, methamphetamine abuse
is known to cause arterial injury, stroke, brain hemorrhage, and even death. Paradoxically,
at much lower, previously untested, doses than typically used in experimental stroke
studies, methamphetamine was discovered to offer robust neuronal protection in the
classic rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. Primarily through the action of Dopamine,
Methamphetamine at lower doses serves to powerfully inhibit apoptosis, as well as
to upregulate anti-inflammatory cytokines and promote neuroregeneration. To the
company’s knowledge, these multiple pathway effects have never been documented in
the scientific literature in prior studies of the drug. Dr. Poulsen’s discovery
of the unique neuroprotective properties of methamphetamine constitutes the basis
of the company’s proprietary technology and intellectual property.
Stroke Indication
In both the Chopp and Poulsen laboratories, the company’s proprietary treatment
regimen has been shown to confer robust neuronal protection in an animal model of
focal cerebral ischemia, even when administered 12 hours after injury. Marked reduction
in stroke volumes and improved behavioral outcomes have been conclusively demonstrated
in pre-clinical studies of the methamphetamine infusion. This very wide therapeutic
window makes this an ideal treatment regimen for use in human clinical trials of
stroke. The company plans to move rapidly into human clinical trials for the stroke
indication with some of the country’s pre-eminent stroke neurologists as advisors.
Traumatic Brain Injury Indication
A recent
retrospective clinical study of severely (GCS 9 or less) brain injured patients
showed the presence of methamphetamine in the bloodstream on admission to be a statistically
significant independent predictor of decreased mortality. The Poulsen laboratory
has early data in a rat model of traumatic brain injury demonstrating neuronal protection
and improved functional outcomes in animals treated with the company’s IV methamphetamine
regimen.