C₃N nanodots inhibits A peptides aggregation pathogenic path in Alzheimer's disease

Despite the accumulating evidence linking the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) to the aggregation of A beta peptides and the emergence of A ss oligomers, the FDA has approved very few anti-aggregation-based therapies over the past several decades. Here, we report the discovery of an A beta peptide aggregation inhibitor: an ultra-small nanodot called C3N. C3N nanodots alleviate aggregation-induced neuron cytotoxicity, rescue neuronal death, and prevent neurite damage in vitro. Importantly, they reduce the global cerebral A beta peptides levels, particularly in fibrillar amyloid plaques, and restore synaptic loss in AD mice. Consequently, these C3N nanodots significantly ameliorate behavioral deficits of APP/PS1 double transgenic male AD mice. Moreover, analysis of critical tissues (e.g., heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney) display no obvious pathological damage, suggesting C3N nanodots are biologically safe. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations also reveal the inhibitory mechanisms of C3N nanodots in A beta peptides aggregation and its potential application against AD.