Prof. Illana Gozes
The laboratory research is characterized by a multi-level approach to the study of brain function, behavior, memory and drug discovery, from molecules to cures. Targeting autism and Alzheimer’s disease and utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, the group investigates different aspects of neuronal plasticity and nerve cell protection. A major focus in the laboratory is on nerve structure and transport mechanisms. We have discovered novel families of proteins associated with cross talk among nerve cells and their support cells, including activity-dependent neuroprotetive protein (ADNP, with ADNP being a major gene mutated in autism). Small ADNP derivatives are in clinical development. The lead compound, NAP (CP201, davunetide) is planned for an advanced Phase II clinical trial with the biotech industry. Davunetide has previously shown efficacy in several Phase II clinical trials (e.g. in patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment, preceding Alzheimer's disease and in schizophrenia patients, protecting activities of daily living).
Behavioral Neuroscience
Brain Disorders Research
Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience
- Ivashko-Pachima Y, Hadar A, Grigg I, Korenková V, Kapitansky O, Karmon G, Gershovits M, Sayas CL, Kooy RF, Attems J, Gurwitz D, Gozes I. Discovery of autism/intellectual disability somatic mutations in Alzheimer's brains: mutated ADNP cytoskeletal impairments and repair as a case study. Mol Psychiatry. 2019 Oct 30 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-019-0563-5
- Hacohen-Kleiman G, Sragovich S, Karmon G, Gao AYL, Grigg I, Pasmanik-Chor M, Le A, Korenková V, McKinney RA, Gozes I. Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein deficiency models synaptic and developmental phenotypes of autism-like syndrome. J Clin Invest. 2018 Nov 1;128(11):4956-4969. https://www.jci.org/articles/view/98199
- Kapitansky O, Giladi E, Jaljuli I, Bereswill S, Heimesaat MM, Gozes I. Microbiota changes associated with ADNP deficiencies: rapid indicators for NAP (CP201) treatment of the ADNP syndrome and beyond. J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2020 Feb;127(2):251-263 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00702-020-02155-5
- Ivashko-Pachima Y, Sayas CL, Malishkevich A, Gozes I. ADNP/NAP dramatically increase microtubule end-binding protein-Tau interaction: a novel avenue for protection against tauopathy. Mol Psychiatry. 2017 Sep;22(9):1335-1344.https://www.nature.com/articles/mp2016255
