Can a molecule that makes mice smarter heal a human brain?

Re:Can a molecule that makes mice smarter heal a human brain? by philipkglass on Thursday September 29, 2016 @02:14PM (#12607513)

I don't know off the top of my head of any drugs that work in humans but have intolerable problems in mice. I do know that some substances are much more toxic to other mammals than to us. For example, acetaminophen is very toxic to cats. Theobromine is much more toxic to dogs and cats than to humans. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin is rapidly lethal to guinea pigs at a level that might only cause skin problems and/or reproductive defects in humans.

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Re:Can a molecule that makes mice smarter heal a human brain? by luminiferous on Thursday September 29, 2016 @04:39PM (#12608585)

Not exactly a drug, but during animal testing of saccharin in the 1970s, saccharin was found to induce bladder cancer in mice in high doses. However, the mechanism of action was later found to be specific to rodents and not applicable to humans.

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Re:Can a molecule that makes mice smarter heal a human brain? by blackbagboys on Thursday September 29, 2016 @05:06PM (#12608760)

Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine, is lethal to cats.

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Re:Can a molecule that makes mice smarter heal a human brain? by eth0up on Thursday September 29, 2016 @05:35PM (#12608949)

Curiously, felines are apparently among the most resistant mammals to prions, maybe second to pigs.

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Re:Can a molecule that makes mice smarter heal a human brain? by wyager on Thursday September 29, 2016 @04:05PM (#12608350)

Permethrine is highly lethal to cold-blooded animals and cats.

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