Mar. 3 at 9:35 AM
$FGEN https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-42296-3 This preclinical study in aged mice (43–48 weeks old) found that oral roxadustat (FG-4592) for 8 weeks induced pseudohypoxia (HIF upregulation under normoxia) and significantly preserved working memory (Y-maze), increased white blood cell counts, and enlarged hippocampal volume (MRI), while showing trends toward enhanced neuro-regenerative pathways (Tau, JNK, DCX) without increasing neuroinflammation (Iba1, GFAP).
It strengthens roxadustat's "multi-tasker" profile by adding brain health and cognitive protection in aging models, potentially relevant for CKD/MDS patients with cognitive issues.
However, it remains preclinical (mice only), with limitations such as small sample size for molecular data and no human translation yet — positive momentum but not a near-term FDA catalyst.