712 North Inc. Unveils New Research Clarifying the Relationship Between Tau and the Mitochondrial OPA1/OMA1 Pathway in Alzheimer’s Disease

August 13, 2021 — 712 North Inc., a pre-clinical pharmaceutical company specializing in mitochondrial medicine, announced today the publication of a new research study entitled “Tau phosphorylation and OPA1 proteolysis are unrelated events: Implications for Alzheimer's Disease” in the journal BBA – Molecular Cell Research.

The study provides critical mechanical insights into the pathology of Alzheimer’s Disease by investigating the functional interaction between tau protein—a hallmark of the disease—and the OPA1/OMA1 mitochondrial pathway. By demonstrating that tau phosphorylation and OPA1 proteolysis are independent events, the research helps narrow the focus for therapeutic interventions aimed at stabilizing mitochondrial architecture.

“I am excited to share these results with the research community,” said Dr. Marcel V. Alavi, CEO of 712 North. “We have known about mitochondrial impairments in Alzheimer’s for half a century, yet the specific triggers have remained elusive. This study is a vital first step in deconstructing the role of deteriorating mitochondria in the progression of the disease.”

This research was supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), emphasizing the urgency of finding novel pathways to treat age-related cognitive decline.

712 North develops personalized mitochondrial medicines for patients with Alzheimer’s and other age-related diseases.

For more information, please visit www.712north.com.