# The Potential of the Peptide Drug Semax and Its Derivative for Correcting Pathological Impairments in the Animal Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

## TL;DR

This study shows that the peptide Semax and its derivative can improve cognitive function and reduce amyloid buildup in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating the therapeutic potential of Semax and its derivative in an Alzheimer’s animal model.

## Key findings

- Semax and its derivative improved cognitive functions in transgenic Alzheimer’s mice.
- The peptides reduced amyloid inclusions in the cortex and hippocampus of the mice’s brains.

## Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease, first described over a century ago, is currently
among the most common neurodegenerative diseases whose significance is
increasingly growing with the aging of populations. Throughout the entire
period of its study, no remedies have been found that would be effective in
treating – or at least significantly slowing – the pathological
process, while being sufficiently safe. In this regard, significant attention
is paid to the development and application of natural peptide drugs lacking
side effects. The present study assessed the effect of the known
neuroprotective peptide Semax and its derivative on the behavioral
characteristics and development of amyloidosis in transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9/Blg
mice acting as a model of Alzheimer’s disease. The open field, novel
object recognition, and Barnes maze tests demonstrated that both Semax and its
derivative improved cognitive functions in mice. Histological examination
showed that these peptides reduced the number of amyloid inclusions in the
cortex and hippocampus of the animals’ brains. These findings demonstrate
the high potential of Semax and its derivatives when used to develop
therapeutic and corrective strategies for Alzheimer’s disease.