E64d, a small-molecule cysteine protease inhibitor; the study also includes a cathepsin B gene deletion arm

The cysteine protease cathepsin B is a key drug target and cysteine protease inhibitors are potential therapeutics for traumatic brain injury.

Model: Controlled cortical impact traumatic brain injury in cathepsin B gene knockout and wild-type mice

Cathepsin B gene deletion and oral E64d each improved motor function, reduced lesion volume and preserved neuronal density after controlled cortical impact, with E64d effective when given up to 8 h post-injury.

Extraction: extract · Subtype source: rule · Supplied extraction confidence: 0.6. Machine-extracted fields require source verification.