A new biological pathway for Alzheimer’s disease
Recall Therapeutics is developing therapies designed to restore the biological signals that support memory, strength, and resilience.
Our research is built on a pathway that may help explain why cognitive decline and physical decline often occur together in Alzheimer’s disease.
THE Insight
What if memory loss and physical decline are connected?
Alzheimer’s disease is often thought of as a disease of memory. Yet many patients also experience muscle loss, frailty, weight loss, and declining physical resilience as the disease progresses. Our research suggests these changes may not be separate consequences of disease. They may be connected through a shared biological pathway.
WHY THIS PATHWAY MATTERS
Supported by human genetics
PTPRD has been linked to:
Cognitive decline
Alzheimer’s disease risk
Early disease detection
Tau pathology
Disease progression
PTPRD is anchored by human genetics as the second most significant determinant of neurofibrillary tangle burden in the genome — ranking just behind APOE in large autopsy cohorts.
THE PATHWAY
Understanding the biology
At the center of our research is PTPRD, a receptor linked through human genetics to Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, and disease progression. In healthy systems, a naturally occurring hormone called asprosin activates this pathway, supporting functions associated with memory and physical resilience.
Our research suggests that in Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid interferes with this process by blocking PTPRD signaling. When signaling is disrupted, both cognitive and physical function may begin to decline.
Healthy state
1
Asprosin
2
PTPRD activated
3
Memory + physical function supported
Alzheimer’s disease
1
Amyloid interference
2
PTPRD signaling disrupted
3
Memory + physical decline
Recall Therapeutics approach
1
Increased asprosin blocks amyloid
2
PTPRD reactivated
3
Restored biological function
A DIFFERENT THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
Use a mechanism nature designed to cross the blood – brain barrier
Instead of forcing drugs into the brain, Recall raises asprosin levels in the blood — from where this hormone naturally crosses into the brain to help restore memory and physical resilience throughout the body.
THE EVIDENCE
What we’ve observed in preclinical studies
These findings support continued development of this approach across diseases characterized by cognitive and systemic decline.
Brain
Body
