PBT434 is a novel, brain-penetrant, small molecule inhibitor of α-synuclein aggregation. In transgenic animal models of Parkinson disease (A53T) and MSA (PLP-α-Syn), PBT434 reduced α-synuclein aggregation, preserved neurons and improved motor function. Glial cell inclusions were also reduced in a murine MSA model. PBT434 is thought to act by redistributing reactive iron across membranes, thereby blocking intracellular protein aggregation and oxidative stress. The affinity of PBT434 for iron is greater than that of α-synuclein but lower than that of iron trafficking proteins, e.g., ferritin.
