Pine cones compound may slow Alzheimer's

A New York medical school and Humanetics Corp. in Minneapolis have been issued a patent for a compound from pine cones that may slow Alzheimer's, the firm says. Ronald Zenk, president and chief executive officer of Humanetics, said Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and Humanetics were issued a patent supporting a long-term, multiyear research collaboration in developing NIC5-15 -- a compound from in pine cones and grape seeds. The compound was found in preclinical studies and animal models to be effective in preventing the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, Zenk said. Amyloid plaques are believed to be a leading cause of Alzheimer's disease, the researchers said. A phase IIa study was completed at the Mount Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research Center in 2008, Zenk said. "We are pleased that NIC5-15 has reached this critical milestone," Zenk said in a statement. "There is an urgent need for safe and effective disease modifying agents to lessen the debilitating symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. We are hopeful that NIC5-15 will satisfy that need."