dendritic spine function treatments

		In the News >> Afraxis Stabilizes Synapses in Fragile X, Autism, Alzheimer's March 8, 2010 Start-up Afraxis Inc. is using kinase inhibitors to repair neurons, stabilize synaptic connections and modify the course of neurological diseases like Fragile X syndrome, autism, Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. >> Afraxis Appoints Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President, Corporate Development March 8, 2010 David Campbell, Ph.D., will Head Development of Drugs for Central Nervous System Disorders Carmine Stengone will Lead Business Development Efforts >> Windhover Announces Its List of Top Projects to Watch November 17, 2009 Afraxis selected as one of the Top 10 neuroscience partnering candidates by Windhover Information.

		Underlying Science A brain's neural network is made up of specialized cells called neurons that are interconnected at points called synapses. Read More > >

Afraxis is discovering and developing drugs to treat diseases of the central nervous system, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. Recent scientific discoveries have linked these disorders to underlying defects in the development and function of specialized structures of the neural synapse, called dendritic spines. Afraxis is leveraging this discovery to develop drug treatments that control dendritic spine function. The company's lead program targets PAK, a protein that regulates the development and activity of dendritic spines, creating therapies that actually modify the disease rather than just treat symptoms. Modifying the disease produces beneficial changes at the cellular and behavioral level, creating new hope for patients.