Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) Awards Dr. Jerri M. Rook Esteemed Melvin R. Goodes Prize

ADDF recognizes Dr. Rook’s significant contributions toward advancing novel therapeutics that hold promise for treating Alzheimer’s and other central nervous system disorders

The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation has named Dr. Jerri M. Rook as the recipient of the 2020 Melvin R. Goodes Prize for Excellence in Alzheimer's Drug Discovery. She is being honored for her innovative research, which explores novel drug targets that may improve cognitive function and have the potential to slow and stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

The Goodes Prize recognizes leading researchers developing treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Dr. Rook, a highly trained behavioral and neuropharmacologist, currently serves as a Research Instructor in the Department of Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University in the Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery. She and her team have developed drug compounds that activate muscarinic M1 receptors, which help process signals that cross the synapses in our brains, affecting memory and cognition.

Researchers have long theorized that this mechanism could effectively treat memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders, but up until now, they have caused unbearable side effects. Dr. Rook has found a way to develop molecules that appear to have the desired treatment benefits without the unwanted serious side effects.

Dr. Rook’s research on a separate drug recently led to a $10 million licensing agreement between Vanderbilt University and the biotechnology company Acadia Pharmaceuticals, with eligibility for potential milestone payments of up to $515 million and tiered royalties. The deal will help to further develop and hopefully commercialize the drug.  A phase 1 trial recently began to further explore the lead compound, VU319, and initial results demonstrate the compound was tolerated safely in humans.  

“We are excited about Dr. Rook’s work, which is a breakthrough for the field, making use of this target to improve cognitive function without the side effects,” said Dr. Howard Fillit, Founding Executive Director and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF. “Her research is representative of the ADDF’s support of novel therapeutics that target various disease pathways – with the aim of transforming them into effective and safe treatments for patients.”

The Melvin R. Goodes Prize includes a $150,000 award and will support Dr. Rook’s research into a new drug discovery program that explores another novel drug target, also aiming to slow and potentially halt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The ADDF has supported her work since 2014. Dr. Rook was also the recipient of the 2015 ADDF-Harrington Scholar Award.

"I am honored to receive this recognition and grateful to the ADDF and Mel and Nancy Goodes, whose never-ending dedication to finding effective treatments brings us closer to solutions for patients and their families,” said Dr. Rook. “It is an exciting time in the world of drug development and the Goodes Prize makes it possible to drive forward crucial research.”