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2027 Scholar-Innovator and ADDF-Harrington
Neuroscience
Development of Novel Inhibitors of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Specifically to Treat Alzheimer's Disease
2025 Scholar, Harrington Brain Health Medicines Center
Dr. Hammock has gained a wealth of insight in his more than fifty years of scientific journeys exploring entomology, biochemistry, physiology, toxicology, pharmacology, and experimental therapeutics. In a career accentuated with numerous discoveries and innovations, the pioneering biological chemist is internationally recognized for his contributions to healthier plants, people, and pets. Now, with Harrington Discovery Institute support, he and a dream team of collaborators aim to slow, prevent, or reverse Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by blocking a target enzyme he discovered—soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH).
“The sEH regulates the activity of anti-inflammatory fatty acids, the body’s natural chemical mediators that also are involved in blood pressure and pain,” Dr. Hammock explains. “In animal models we found that inhibiting sEH increases levels of natural chemical mediators that reduce vascular inflammation and neuroinflammation, both hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. We also observed that sEH inhibition increased clearing of toxic plaques.”
Today, 150 million individuals worldwide have AD. Aging populations and increasing diagnoses heighten the need for improved treatment options, yet almost 99% of drugs taken to clinical trials fail. The anti-plaque drugs that reach the market are contraindicated in patients with vascular issues. Potentially, sEH inhibitors could be combined with monoclonal antibodies therapy for those patients.
“Recently, multiple genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have targeted the sEH locus as a prime therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s,” Dr. Hammock says. “We are optimizing a very promising lead compound, which we hope to accelerate to
clinical trials, initially in patients with diabetes-driven dementia.”
Eventually, Dr. Hammock hopes to translate his discovery into a life-changing drug that can be easily taken by patients.
"Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors show great potential for neurodegenerative diseases."