The Fire in the Brain: How Inflammation is Driving Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Long COVID | Cuong Do

Is chronic neuroinflammation the silent driver behind modern brain diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Long COVID, and mood disorders? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Brandon Crawford speaks with Cuong Do, the CEO of BioVie Pharmaceuticals, who came out of retirement to tackle the growing challenge of neurodegenerative diseases. They delve into the intricate science of TNF-alpha, explore the concept of insulin resistance within the brain, and discuss the potential of next-generation neurodrugs, such as BioVie's Bezisterem, to not only alleviate symptoms but potentially alter the trajectory of aging itself. 

Join them as they unpack the significance of ongoing clinical trials, the implications of biological clocks and mitochondrial health, and the often-overlooked connections between inflammation and crucial aspects of health, including cognition, hormones, longevity, and even autism.

Key Takeaways

• Many chronic conditions, including neurodevelopmental disorders and autoimmune diseases, may stem from fundamental light signaling failures at the cellular level.
• In Alzheimer's disease, TNF-alpha drives the production of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the phosphorylation of tau, contributing to amyloid plaques and tau tangles, though these may be downstream effects of inflammation.
• Emerging research links the brain fog, fatigue, and malaise associated with Long COVID to inflammatory mechanisms that BioVie’s drug candidate, Bezisterem, aims to modulate.
• Pre-clinical studies of Bezisterem in Parkinson's models showed it to be as effective as Levodopa in restoring muscle control and demonstrated a synergistic effect when used in combination.
• Bezisterem is a small molecule that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and has shown a long half-life, potentially offering benefits for Parkinson's patients experiencing "off" states in the morning.
• BioVie is actively monitoring biomarkers of neurodegeneration, such as GFAP and neurofilament light (NFL), in their clinical trials and has observed a disruption in the typical correlation between disease progression and these markers in the treatment arm.

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