New treatment for a serious brain condition called ADEM
Official title: Development of a Novel, Targeted Small Molecule Inhibitor of the Nucleoside Salvage Pathway to Treat Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
Funded at Trethera Corporation · NIH-10896386 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new drug called TRE-515 to help children with a serious condition called acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) by blocking a specific enzyme that causes harmful immune responses, with the hope of improving their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trethera Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Sherman Oaks, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $297,146 |
| NIH project number | 5R41AI179191-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10896386 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and young adults diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM).
✕Less likely to help
Patients with ADEM who are already receiving corticosteroid treatments or those with other underlying conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new small molecule drug, TRE-515, aimed at treating acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a severe autoimmune disease primarily affecting children. The approach involves inhibiting a specific enzyme, deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), which plays a crucial role in the proliferation of immune cells that attack the nervous system. By blocking this enzyme, the treatment aims to reduce harmful immune responses and improve recovery outcomes for patients suffering from ADEM. The research includes preclinical studies using a mouse model to evaluate the drug's effectiveness and safety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a targeted therapy for ADEM, potentially improving recovery rates and reducing the side effects associated with current corticosteroid treatments.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research into treatments for ADEM, the specific approach of using TRE-515 to inhibit dCK is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Trethera Corporation
Sherman Oaks, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schultz, Kenneth — Trethera Corporation
- Study coordinator: Schultz, Kenneth
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This study is testing a new drug called TRE-515 to see if it can help children with a serious condition called acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) by reducing symptoms and helping them recover better than current treatments, which can have tough side effects.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.