ProdromeNeuro™
The Evolution of Plasmalogen Therapeutics
Dr. Goodenowe Dietary Therapeutics (DGDT) is a therapeutic development company focused on advancing plasmalogen-based compounds through FDA-regulated pathways for the investigation of Alzheimer’s disease and related neurological conditions.
Our lead investigational candidate is ProdromeNeuro™, a concentrated high-purity alkyl-diacylglycerol (ADG) plasmalogen precursor designed to restore both C16 and C18 plasmalogens—essential brain lipids that decline with age and are significantly depleted in Alzheimer’s disease.
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Alzheimer's Disease: An Urgent Public Health Crisis
A critical gap exists in treatment options that address underlying causal mechanisms
Plasmalogen deficiency has been documented across multiple independent studies as a consistent biochemical feature of Alzheimer's disease, yet no approved therapeutic currently targets this pathway.
Symptomatic, Not Causal
Currently approved therapies provide symptomatic relief or target amyloid plaque reduction - none specifically address plasmalogen biochemistry.
Pathology Begins Decades Before Symptoms
Neurodegeneration begins 15–20 years before clinical diagnosis, with pathology progressing silently.
Significant Public Health Challenge
Alzheimer's represents one of the most significant health challenges of our time—growing in scale with limited approved causal treatment.
Plasmalogen Deficiency & Cognitive Decline
In 2005, Dr. Dayan Goodenowe’s research identified specific plasmalogen species consistently depleted in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Plasmalogens are essential brain lipids that decline sharply after age 60, the same point at which Alzheimer’s risk increases.
These findings, published in the Journal of Lipid Research (2007) and independently replicated in Japan, Europe, and North America, revealed key findings.
Correlated with Cognitive Decline
Lower plasmalogen levels correlate with worse cognitive scores
Deficiency Precedes Diagnosis
Deficiency appears years before clinical Alzheimer's diagnosis
Higher Levels Associated with Stability
In observational studies, patients with higher plasmalogen levels showed greater cognitive stability over time
ProdromeNeuro™: Targeting What's Missing
ProdromeNeuro™ is a concentrated, high-purity alkyl-diacylglycerol (ADG) plasmalogen precursor containing both C16 and C18 alkylglycerol backbones with >90% DHA fatty acid composition. Dr. Goodenowe was the first to invent and synthesize high-purity structurally specific alkyl-acylglycerols (AAGs) and investigate their unique biochemical effects. DHA-AAG was singled out and patented for Alzheimer’s investigation due to its ability to restore specific biological features observed in the disease.
Pharmacological Advantages Over Previous Generation (PPI-1011)
ProdromeNeuro™, invented and synthesized by Dr. Goodenowe in 2019, represents a dramatic pharmacological improvement:
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Dual Plasmalogen Targeting
Designed to elevate both C16 and C18 plasmalogens—previous generation (PPI-1011) restored C16 only. -
Higher Purity
No preservatives or dilution required (PPI-1011 requires thioglycerol preservative and coconut oil dilution) -
2× DHA Concentration
DHA at both sn-2 and sn-3 positions (PPI-1011 has DHA only at sn-2) -
Wider Dosing Flexibility
No alpha-lipoic acid means simpler safety profile and broader dosing window
PROOF OF CONCEPT STUDY
Dose-Dependent Plasmalogen Restoration
In a 2019-2020 open-label, proof-of-concept dose-escalation study with 22 cognitively impaired participants, target plasmalogen levels increased in a dose-dependent manner. Preliminary improvements were observed in biochemical markers and cognitive measures.
- Target plasmalogen levels increased in a dose-dependent manner
- Decreases in oxidative stress biomarkers were observed
- Improvements in cognition and mobility were observed
- No serious adverse events were reported
Two Decades of Scientific Progress
The development of ProdromeNeuro™ reflects a continuous scientific trajectory spanning discovery, invention, and early clinical investigation.
2006
Plasmalogen deficiency identified as a biochemical feature associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
2006
First bioavailable plasmalogen precursor (PPI‑1005) invented.
2007
Definitive plasmalogen deficiency paper in Alzheimer’s disease.
2019
ProdromeNeuro created as a next‑generation plasmalogen therapeutic.
Scientific Foundation & Infrastructure
Two decades of research translated into a purpose-built pharmaceutical
development infrastructure led by Dr. Dayan Goodenowe, Ph.D.
FDA-compliant GMP manufacturing
A purpose-built, FDA-compliant drug manufacturing facility designed specifically for plasmalogen precursor therapeutics, including ProdromeNeuro™.
Clinical laboratory operations
The Temecula, CA laboratories form the analytical and mechanistic core of the program.
Multi-site clinical trial capability
Clinical infrastructure in Temecula, CA, and Moose Jaw, SK, is being built to run plasmalogen-focused trials under full regulatory oversight.