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Cognitive Function and Heart Failure: The Role of the Adrenergic System
Grazia D Femminella, Ciro Candido, Maddalena Conte
1Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini, 5 - 80131 - Naples, Italy. nicola.ferrara@unina.it.
Insights
Heart failure and cognitive impairment are growing global health challenges. Sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity links both conditions, suggesting new therapeutic targets for heart failure and dementia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) and cognitive impairment (CI) are prevalent global diseases with significant mortality and morbidity.
- Aging populations are increasing the incidence of HF and CI, posing substantial clinical and economic challenges.
- Sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity, evidenced by elevated catecholamines, is a key factor in HF progression, with beta-blockers demonstrating therapeutic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the relationship between cognitive impairment and heart failure.
- To explore the role of the sympathetic nervous system in the pathogenesis of both HF and CI.
Main Methods:
- Literature and patent review focusing on sympathetic nervous system derangement.
- Analysis of recent findings on molecular targets and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Sympathetic nervous system alterations are implicated in the pathogenesis of both HF and CI.
- Identification of novel molecular targets for potential therapeutic interventions.
- Summary of relevant patents in the field.
Conclusions:
- Recent research highlights the link between sympathetic nervous system activity and both heart failure and cognitive decline.
- Emerging molecular targets offer promise for developing effective treatments for HF and dementia.
- Further investigation into these targets could lead to innovative therapeutic strategies.
Background:
Heart Failure (HF) and cognitive impairment (CI) represent two high incident diseases worldwide, with extremely elevated mortality and morbidity rates. Their prevalence is expected to further increase in the next years due to the aging population, thus they pose enormous clinical, social and economic challenges. Sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity is known to play a pivotal role in HF pathophysiology and progression. In fact, increased cardiac and circulating catecholamine levels are responsible for several molecular and structural abnormalities with detrimental effects on the failing heart. The proof of this latter concept is represented by the clinical success of .-Blocker therapy that is able to attenuate HF-related morbidity and mortality. Recently, adrenergic system alterations have been implied also in the pathogenesis of CI and dementia opening the window for new fascinating and promising therapeutic opportunities.
Objective:
Assess the state of the art on the relationship between cognitive impairment and heart failure.
Method:
In the present manuscript, we propose an updated review of literature and patent on the role of sympathetic nervous system derangement in the pathogenesis of HF and CI.
Conclusion:
We have discussed recent findings allowing the identification of new molecular targets that hopefully will contribute to the generation of effective therapeutic strategies for HF and dementia. In this article, the patents US20100048479, US7060871, WO2006052857, US7351401, US5721243, WO1994009155, US5449604, WO1999058981, US5985581, EP2319511, EP2377534, EP2650303, WO2006004939, WO2010132128 and EP1779858 are summarized.
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