UIC-2018-085 – LPC-EPA, a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of depression and other neurological diseases

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability that affects more than 322 million people worldwide. Most drugs in the market are targeted to treat the symptoms of depression, but not the underlying causes. It is important to develop preventive strategies against depression. Studies indicated that Eicosapenteanoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 acid that is generally consumed by eating fish oil or supplement, alleviates depressive symptoms in people with depression. Current form of EPA in fish oil/supplements do not increase EPA level in brain because they can’t cross blood brain barrier efficiently. UIC inventors hypothesized that LPC-EPA can successfully cross blood brain barrier by utilizing blood brain barrier transporter, Mfsd2a that transports lysophosphatidylcholines across the blood brain barrier. The inventors developed lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) form of EPA. Hyunjin Kim hkim227@otm.uic.edu 312355-7843