Homotaurine
Homotaurine (also known as tramiprosate (INN), 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid, or 3-APS) is a natural sulfonic acid found in seaweed. It is analogous to taurine, but with an extra carbon in its chain. It has GABAergic activity, apparently by mimicking GABA, which it resembles.
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Preferred IUPAC name
3-Aminopropane-1-sulfonic acid | |
Other names
Tramiprosate; Alzhemed; 3-APS | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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DrugBank | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.020.889 |
EC Number |
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KEGG | |
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Properties | |
C3H9NO3S | |
Molar mass | 139.17 g·mol−1 |
Melting point | 293 °C (559 °F; 566 K) (decomposition) |
Hazards | |
GHS labelling: | |
Warning | |
H315, H319, H335 | |
P261, P264, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P403+P233, P405, P501 | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references |
Homotaurine was investigated in a Phase III clinical trial as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) that did not show efficacy. However, post-hoc analyses have shown positive and significant effects of homotaurine on secondary endpoints and subgroups of patients, including a reduction in hippocampal volume loss and lower decline in memory function in the overall cohort, as well as a reduction in global cognitive decline in APOE4 allele carriers, suggesting a disease-modifying effect. A study in cognitive impairment done in 2018 did show positive benefits.
Homotaurine is currently in a phase 3 study with expected FDA approval as the first disease modifying drug for AD.