Date of Award
Spring 4-8-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
April 2026
Department
Biomedical Science
College Granting Degree
Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Department Granting Degree
Biomedical Science
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Gregg. B. Fields
Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and presence of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the brain. Aβ oligomers are directly toxic to CNS synapses and can induce tau protein hyperphosphorylation, that causes NFT buildup. For these reasons, Aβ has been investigated as a therapeutic target, yet very few clinical trials have yielded effective drugs for AD treatment until now. Recently, the MT5-MMPmediated η-secretase pathway, which generates synaptotoxic Aη from amyloid precursor protein, has been reported (Wang et al 2024, Wilem et al 2015). Thus, pharmacologic inhibition of MT5-MMP could be an effective complementary therapeutic approach for AD treatment. With our prior MT5-MMP binding site knowledge, we synthesized phosphinate peptide inhibitors via the solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) method as drug candidates for AD treatment, with several significant inhibitors resulting.
Recommended Citation
Borges, Nicholas, "SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF NOVEL MT5-MMP INHIBITORS FOR TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 293.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/293