Evaluation of the newly synthesized linoleic acid derivative DCP-LA as a potential anti-dementia drug

PurposeWe synthesized the linoleic acid derivative 8-[2-(2-pentyl-cyclopropylmethyl)-cyclopropyl]-octanoic acid (DCP-LA) with cyclopropane rings instead of cis-double bonds. Here, we introduce DCP-LA as a novel anti-dementia drug.Study section and resultsDCP-LA selectively and directly activated protein kinase C-ε (PKCε) to enhance the activity of presynaptic α7 acetylcholine (ACh) receptors by promoting receptor translocation to the cell surface and increasing presynaptic glutamate release. This action of DCP-LA caused a long-lasting facilitation of hippocampal synaptic transmission, which improved learning and memory impairments in animal models.ConclusionDCP-LA could be developed as a promising anti-dementia drug, offering new hope for treating dementias including Alzheimer disease.