Metal homeostasis in dementia

The molecular determinants of dementia of Alzheimer's tipe (DAT) are still not completely known; however, in the past two decades, a large body of evidence has indicated that an important contributing factor is represented by the unbalanced homeostasis of two cations: calcium (Ca(2) ) and zinc (Zn(2)). The two ions serve a critical role in the physiological signalling of the central nervous system. However, Alzheimer's disease-related neurodegeneration, deregulation of brain levels of Ca(2) and Zn(2) is instrumental in promoting amyloid-β (Aβ) dysmetabolism and tau phosphorylation as well as interference with additional pathogenic factors like energy production failure, hyperexcitabilty, excitotoxicity, and oxidative stress. Hyperexcitabilty and excitotoxicity are key mechanisms in the disease development and progression as an altered glutamatergic activation can further promote both Ca(2) and Zn(2) dyshomeostasis. The two cations can operate synergistically to promote the generation of free radicals that further increase intracellular Ca(2) and Zn(2) rises and set the stage for a self-perpetuating injurious loop. In the talk, we will review mechanisms of AD-related Ca(2) and Zn(2) dyshomeostasis in a preclinical model of DAT and discuss opportunity for disease-modifying strategies based on interventions aimed at restoring brain metal homeostasis.