Special Report Cyclosporin as a Neuroprotector The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Maas BiolAB, LLC announced the signing of their Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (CRADA) to develop cyclosporin neuroprotection in indications relevant to military casualties and Homeland Security. These indications include battlefield traumatic brain injury and military or civilian exposure to nerve agents. Since 2003, Maas BiolAB, under a Material Transfer Agreement with Walter Reed, provided its cyclosporin neuroprotection formula for severe traumatic brain injury studies. Under the terms of the CRADA, Maas BiolAB and WRAIR will further collaborate to develop the Maas patented cyclosporin neuroprotection formula NeuroSTAT(R) in models of military traumatic brain injury and nerve gas poisoning. Traumatic Brain Injury and Cyclosporin The unique WRAIR double-insult model of brain trauma and simultaneous hypoxia closely simulates the real life battlefield-injured soldier who may have a delay before reaching advanced medical care. Initial work by WRAIR indicates that the Maas cyclosporin formula is highly neuroprotectant. Lead WRAIR scientists Richard A. Bauman Ph.D. and Joseph B. Long Ph.D. presented their research at the 2004 annual meeting of the Society for Neurotrauma in San Diego, California. Research conducted by Drs. Bauman and Long, with support from Maas scientists Eskil Elmer, M.D., Ph.D. and Marcus Keep, M.D., demonstrated that brain function, memory, learning, and retention rates are dramatically improved in animal models when cyclosporin treats traumatic brain injury. Cyclosporin is a mitochondrial neuroprotectant that can cross the blood-brain barrier of the cerebrum injured by projectile, blast and blunt force. NeuroSTAT(R) could be administered by intravenous injection to brain injured soldiers by first-responder battlefield paramedics to stop further brain damage. Organophosphate Nerve Agents and Cyclosporin Dr. Bauman presented the results of his research using cyclosporin against organophosphate nerve agent injury to the NATO Task Group on Prophylaxis and Therapy Against Chemical Agents meeting in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic in May 2005. Drs. Bauman, Long and Debra Yourick, Ph.D., also of WRAIR, performed the nerve agent research with contributions by Drs. Elmer and Keep. Bauman's research team demonstrated that cyclosporin dramatically reduces organophosphate induced brain damage in the rat. Cyclosporin reduced seizures, and protected the brain. The preserved brain structures correlated with near normal retained memory and learning ability. The intense seizures produced by nerve agents opens the blood-brain barrier to cyclosporin, and allows simple intravenous administration for NeuroSTAT(R) cyclosporin to get into the brain to protect neurons and memory. Multiple civilian or military casualties from a bioterror nerve agent exposure could all be rapidly treated with NeuroSTAT(R) by intravenous injections. Maas BiolAB and WRAIR are working together towards bringing NeuroSTAT(R) cyclosporin neuroprotection to clinical approval for treating military and civilian casualties from traumatic brain injury and nerve agent exposure.