Homotaurine (also known as tramiprosate (INN), 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid, or 3-APS) is a natural sulfonic acid found in seaweed.[3] It is analogous to taurine, but with an extra carbon in its chain. It has GABAergic activity, apparently by mimicking GABA, which it resembles.[4]
Homotaurine was investigated in a Phase III clinical trial as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) that did not show efficacy. However, post-hoc analyses have shown positive and significant effects of homotaurine on secondary endpoints and subgroups of patients, including a reduction in hippocampal volume loss and lower decline in memory function in the overall cohort, as well as a reduction in global cognitive decline in APOE4 allele carriers, suggesting a disease-modifying effect.[5] A study in cognitive impairment done in 2018 did show positive benefits.[6]
Homotaurine is currently in a phase 3 study with expected FDA approval as the first disease modifying drug for AD.[7][8]
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^Caltagirone, C; Ferrannini, L; Marchionni, N; Nappi, G; Scapagnini, G; Trabucchi, M (December 2012). "The potential protective effect of tramiprosate (homotaurine) against Alzheimer's disease: a review". Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. 24 (6): 580–587. doi:10.3275/8585. PMID22961121. S2CID10816430.
^Martorana, A.; Motta, C; Koch, G.; Massaia, M.; Mondino, S.; Raniero, I.; Vacca, A.; Di Lorenzo, F.; Cavallo, G.; Oddenino, E.; Pavanelli, E.; Maniscalco, M.; Montano, V.; Mastropietro, A.; Bellia, N. C.; Ciravegna, E.; La Rocca, M.; Vitale, E.; Lorico, F.; Zacchettin, B.; Scalise, A.; Codemo, A.; Gabelli, C.; Spano, M.; Poli, S.; Panuccio, D.; Bruno, P.; Alfieri, P.; Ruggiero, R.; Cursi, F.; Levi Della Vida, G. (15 March 2018). "Effect of homotaurine in patients with cognitive impairment: results from an Italian observational retrospective study". Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 66: 15–20.