Our Science
A paradigm shift in Alzheimer's Disease treatment
Revolutionary Approach
HealthSpan Research is pioneering a revolutionary approach to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) treatment by targeting blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction as a key pathological factor rather than focusing solely on the traditional amyloid-beta hypothesis.
We are developing small extracellular vesicles (exosomes) as a therapeutic modality, utilizing naturally occurring allogeneic nanoparticles isolated from plasma. Our proprietary molecular screening technology ensures consistent functionality and therapeutic potential.
The Blood-Brain Barrier Connection
The scientific rationale centers on compelling evidence that BBB integrity is crucial for brain homeostasis, controlling nutrient transport and toxin clearance. AD patients exhibit early BBB breakdown before major amyloid/tau accumulation, with leaky barriers allowing toxic blood proteins to enter the brain, triggering inflammation and neurodegeneration.
APOE4 carriers, a high-risk genetic group, are particularly susceptible to early BBB breakdown, suggesting that protecting and restoring the BBB may prevent or slow AD progression if targeted early.
Therapeutic Mechanisms
Our young plasma-derived exosomes work through multiple therapeutic mechanisms:
BBB Restoration
Upregulating tight junction proteins (claudins, occludins, ZO proteins) to restore barrier integrity
Anti-Inflammation
Reducing neuroinflammation via IL6-JAK-STAT3 signaling pathways
Transport Restoration
Restoring transport protein function for proper nutrient and toxin flow
Neurovascular Function
Enhancing pericyte-endothelial interactions to improve neurovascular function
Clearance Enhancement
Facilitating amyloid-β and tau clearance to address AD's multifactorial pathology
Proprietary Technology
HealthSpan Research's proprietary affinity-based isolation technology preserves exosome function while enabling pharmaceutical-grade scalability. This scalable therapeutic platform leverages natural regenerative mechanisms rather than single-target drug strategies.
Preliminary Research Findings
In vitro RNA sequencing studies using primary human brain endothelial cells showed that exosomes from young donors (ages 18-25) could reverse transcriptional changes induced by aged exosomes (ages 65-72).
Of 5,432 differentially expressed genes identified, approximately 68% exhibited partial or complete restoration toward control levels when cells were treated with young exosomes following aged exosome exposure.
Key pathways showing restoration included:
- Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation
- Ribosomal biogenesis
- Inflammatory signaling pathways
- Genes associated with tight junction assembly
These preliminary findings suggest young exosomes may counteract age-related endothelial dysfunction, though functional validation and in vivo studies remain necessary to confirm therapeutic efficacy.
Path Forward
This novel exosome-based approach represents a paradigm shift in AD treatment, directly targeting BBB dysfunction with potential for early intervention to halt AD progression before irreversible neurodegeneration. This creates a clear path to IND-enabling studies for this groundbreaking approach to addressing the global Alzheimer's crisis.