Algernon Pharmaceuticals points to new research at Hungary university showing potential for DMT as stroke treatment

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc (CSE:AGN) (OTCQB:AGNPF) (FRA:AGW) has pointed to a new study at the University of Szeged in Hungary, which points to the potential of psychedelic compound DMT to be used to treat stroke. 

A preprint of the study was published in May this year in the journal ‘Neuropharmacology’ and the research showed improved outcomes in a rat model, noted Algernon. 

READ: Algernon Pharmaceuticals receives positive feedback from US FDA for its DMT stroke program

Vancouver-based Algernon plans to be the first company in the world to pursue DMT as a treatment for stroke in humans and is aiming to begin a clinical trial in the fourth quarter of 2021.

“This study is further evidence that DMT must be investigated as a possible treatment for stroke,” said Christopher J. Moreau, the company’s CEO.

“Algernon would like to thank all of the scientists and researchers that have worked to establish the data identifying DMT, also known as the ‘Sprit Molecule’, as a potentially effective stroke therapeutic.”

When a stroke hits the brain, cells are starved of oxygen and extensive and irreversible damage occurs within ten minutes. While the process can be reversed if oxygen is quickly restored, left untreated, cells will ultimately die.

“The animal study from the University of Szeged in Hungary showed that DMT reduced the activity of some of the mechanisms and effects that are involved in the damaging biological cascade that occurs after a stroke,” said Algernon in the statement.

“In addition, DMT reduced the volume of dead cells and increased the viability of cells found in the somatosensory cortex, all with statistical significance. One of the study’s authors is Dr. Ede Frecska, who recently joined Algernon as a consultant to its DMT stroke program.”

DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine), occurs naturally in many plants and animals and is a hallucinogenic tryptamine drug-producing effects similar to those of other psychedelics like LSD, ketamine, psilocybin and psilocin.

It has been shown to induce neuroplasticity in a number of key preclinical studies and is believed to activate pathways involved with forming neuron connections.

Millions of people suffer the debilitating consequences of a stroke each year. In 2018, the global stroke treatment market was valued at around US$8 billion.

This is expected to reach a value of around US$15 billion by the year 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of around 7%.

Algernon, a drug re-purposing firm, has filed new provisional patents for new forms of DMT, in addition to formulation, dosage and method of use claims for ischemic stroke.

It has also filed claims for combination therapy of DMT and Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT).

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