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Emerging and potential therapies for Alzheimer's disease
Heledd H Griffiths1, Isobel J Morten, Nigel M Hooper
1University of Leeds, Proteolysis Research Group, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health and Therapeutics, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|May 16, 2008
Summary
Emerging Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments target amyloid beta (Abeta) production or aggregation. A novel strategy involves mimicking prion protein to inhibit BACE1, reducing Abeta production.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly.
- Amyloid beta (Abeta) peptide accumulation is central to AD pathogenesis.
- Currently, no definitive cure exists for Alzheimer's disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies for AD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of published studies.
- Information gathering from pharmaceutical companies.
Main Results:
- Current AD treatments focus on inhibiting Abeta production, aggregation, or enhancing degradation.
- Limited data suggests a potential future strategy.
Conclusions:
- Future AD therapy may involve mimicking the prion protein's mechanism.
- Inhibiting beta-secretase (BACE1) via this mechanism could reduce Abeta production.
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