Ty L Birdsong

Dr. Ty L Birdsong


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
29 July 2026 in Neurology International
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AAAhmed Ibrahim Anwar
Ahmed Ibrahim Anwar
AHAbdul-rahman A Hegazi
Abdul-rahman A Hegazi
HBHamsa Priya Bhuchakra
Hamsa Priya Bhuchakra
JNJoshua R. Nelson
Joshua R. Nelson
TBTy L Birdsong
Ty L Birdsong
Alan David KayeAlan David Kaye
Alan David Kaye
Neurodegenerative diseases are targets for pridopidine therapy, which aims to improve quality of life through neuroprotective mechanisms that involve sigma-1 receptor (S1R) activation. Neurodegenerative motor and cognitive diseases are influenced by dopamine imbalance, where disruptions in pathways contribute to states that are hyperkinetic or hypokinetic, while current dopaminergic treatments are symptomatic rather than disease-modifying, especially for Huntington’s disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying pridopidine-mediated neuroprotection and examines the current evidence supporting its therapeutic potential. The S1R is an endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria-associated chaperone involved in homeostasis of calcium, stress regulation, and mitochondrial function. Pridopidine is a small lipophilic molecule that crosses the blood–brain barrier and acts as an S1R agonist, with minimal dopamine D2 receptor occupancy. Activation of S1R by pridopidine modulates calcium signaling and enhances anti-apoptotic activity. Collectively, available evidence suggests that pridopidine may improve motor outcomes and slow disease progression in Huntington’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, supporting its promise as a disease-modifying therapeutic strategy.