Inflammation and Alzheimer’s Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies

Gerontology ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 43 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul S. Aisen
Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2513
Author(s):  
Maria Calvo-Rodriguez ◽  
Elizabeth K. Kharitonova ◽  
Brian J. Bacskai

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, affecting millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, none of the current treatments are effective at improving cognitive function in AD patients and, therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of new therapies that target the early cause(s) of AD. Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) regulation is critical for proper cellular and neuronal function. It has been suggested that Ca2+ dyshomeostasis is an upstream factor of many neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. For this reason, chemical agents or small molecules aimed at targeting or correcting this Ca2+ dysregulation might serve as therapeutic strategies to prevent the development of AD. Moreover, neurons are not alone in exhibiting Ca2+ dyshomeostasis, since Ca2+ disruption is observed in other cell types in the brain in AD. In this review, we examine the distinct Ca2+ channels and compartments involved in the disease mechanisms that could be potential targets in AD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Gao ◽  
Lin Tan ◽  
Jin-Tai Yu ◽  
Lan Tan

Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most important progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by cognitive and behavioral disabilities. Nowadays, tau, as a microtubuleassociated protein and a principle neuropathological hallmark of AD, provides us a neoteric perspective to explore further aetiopathogenesis and therapeutic strategy. The hyperphosphorylation and abnormal aggregation of tau, combined with its decreased clearance, form neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and exert neurotoxicity in AD. Methods: Recent investigations aim to prevent the deposition of NFT and accelerate the clearance of NFT. Intriguingly, immunization strategies targeting tau effectively ameliorates the tau-associated pathology in AD. In addition, modified therapies targeting tau should be regarded as a potential way to treat AD. These progresses open new avenues for AD. Conclusion: Here, we review the recent literature of potential mechanisms of the tau in AD and discuss the modified therapeutic strategies for AD.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataly Guzmán-Herrera ◽  
Viridiana C. Pérez-Nájera ◽  
Luis A. Salazar-Olivo

Background: Numerous studies have shown a significant association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), two pathologies affecting millions of people worldwide. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are two conditions common to these diseases also affecting the activity of the serpin alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), but a possible common role for this serpin in T2D and AD remains unclear. Objective: To explore the possible regulatory networks linking ACT to T2D and AD. Materials and Methods: A bibliographic search was carried out in PubMed, Med-line, Open-i, ScienceDirect, Scopus and SpringerLink for data indicating or suggesting association among T2D, AD, and ACT. Searched terms like “alpha-1-antichymotrypsin”, “type 2 diabetes”, “Alzheimer's disease”, “oxidative stress”, “pro-inflammatory mediators” among others were used. Moreover, common therapeutic strategies between T2D and AD as well as the use of ACT as a therapeutic target for both diseases were included. Results: ACT has been linked with development and maintenance of T2D and AD and studies suggest their participation through activation of inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress, mechanisms also associated with both diseases. Likewise, evidences indicate that diverse therapeutic approaches are common to both diseases. Conclusion: Inflammatory and oxidative stresses constitute a crossroad for T2D and AD where ACT could play an important role. In-depth research on ACT involvement in these two dysfunctions could generate new therapeutic strategies for T2D and AD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 6071
Author(s):  
Suzanne Gascon ◽  
Jessica Jann ◽  
Chloé Langlois-Blais ◽  
Mélanie Plourde ◽  
Christine Lavoie ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive neuron losses in memory-related brain structures. The classical features of AD are a dysregulation of the cholinergic system, the accumulation of amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles. Unfortunately, current treatments are unable to cure or even delay the progression of the disease. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies have emerged, such as the exogenous administration of neurotrophic factors (e.g., NGF and BDNF) that are deficient or dysregulated in AD. However, their low capacity to cross the blood–brain barrier and their exorbitant cost currently limit their use. To overcome these limitations, short peptides mimicking the binding receptor sites of these growth factors have been developed. Such peptides can target selective signaling pathways involved in neuron survival, differentiation, and/or maintenance. This review focuses on growth factors and their derived peptides as potential treatment for AD. It describes (1) the physiological functions of growth factors in the brain, their neuronal signaling pathways, and alteration in AD; (2) the strategies to develop peptides derived from growth factor and their capacity to mimic the role of native proteins; and (3) new advancements and potential in using these molecules as therapeutic treatments for AD, as well as their limitations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 10798
Author(s):  
Subramanian Boopathi ◽  
Adolfo B. Poma ◽  
Ramón Garduño-Juárez

Amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers are the most neurotoxic aggregates causing neuronal death and cognitive damage. A detailed elucidation of the aggregation pathways from oligomers to fibril formation is crucial to develop therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although experimental techniques rely on the measure of time- and space-average properties, they face severe difficulties in the investigation of Aβ peptide aggregation due to their intrinsically disorder character. Computer simulation is a tool that allows tracing the molecular motion of molecules; hence it complements Aβ experiments, as it allows to explore the binding mechanism between metal ions and Aβ oligomers close to the cellular membrane at the atomic resolution. In this context, integrated studies of experiments and computer simulations can assist in mapping the complete pathways of aggregation and toxicity of Aβ peptides. Aβ oligomers are disordered proteins, and due to a rapid exploration of their intrinsic conformational space in real-time, they are challenging therapeutic targets. Therefore, no good drug candidate could have been identified for clinical use. Our previous investigations identified two small molecules, M30 (2-Octahydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-ylethanamine) and Gabapentin, capable of Aβ binding and inhibiting molecular aggregation, synaptotoxicity, intracellular calcium signaling, cellular toxicity and memory losses induced by Aβ. Thus, we recommend these molecules as novel candidates to assist anti-AD drug discovery in the near future. This review discusses the most recent research investigations about the Aβ dynamics in water, close contact with cell membranes, and several therapeutic strategies to remove plaque formation.


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