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Published on: May 3, 2017
Neuroprotective effects of riluzole in Alzheimer's disease: A comprehensive review
Maryam Golmohammadi1, Mohammadreza Mahmoudian2, Ekhlas Khammas Hasan3
1School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Despite several hundred clinical trials of drugs that initially showed promise, there has been limited clinical improvement in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This may be attributed to the existence of at least 25 abnormal cellular pathways that underlie the disease. It is improbable for a single drug to address all or most of these pathways, thus even drugs that show promise when administered alone are unlikely to produce significant results. According to previous studies, eight drugs, namely, dantrolene, erythropoietin, lithium, memantine, minocycline, piracetam, riluzole, and silymarin, have been found to target multiple pathways that are involved in the development of AD. Among these drugs, riluzole is currently indicated for the treatment of medical conditions in both adult patients and children and has gained increased attention from scientists due to its potential in the excitotoxic hypothesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of drugs on AD based on cellular and molecular mechanisms.
Methods:
The literature search for this study utilized the Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant articles.
Results:
Riluzole exerts its effects in AD through diverse pathways including the inhibition of voltage-dependent sodium and calcium channels, blocking AMPA and NMDA receptors and inhibiting the release of glutamic acid release and stimulation of EAAT1-EAAT2.
Conclusion:
In this review article, we aimed to review the neuroprotective properties of riluzole, a glutamate modulator, in AD, which could benefit patients with the disease.
Insights
Riluzole, a glutamate modulator, shows neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's disease (AD) by targeting multiple cellular pathways. This drug offers potential benefits for AD patients by addressing complex disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) has numerous underlying cellular pathways, making single-drug treatments challenging.
- Eight drugs, including riluzole, target multiple AD-related pathways.
- Riluzole is gaining attention for its potential in addressing the excitotoxic hypothesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of drug effects in Alzheimer's disease.
- To review the neuroprotective properties of riluzole in AD.
Main Methods:
- Literature search conducted using Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar.
- Identification of relevant articles on drug mechanisms in AD.
Main Results:
- Riluzole inhibits voltage-dependent sodium and calcium channels.
- Riluzole blocks AMPA and NMDA receptors, reducing glutamate release.
- Riluzole stimulates EAAT1-EAAT2, enhancing glutamate reuptake.
Conclusions:
- Riluzole, as a glutamate modulator, demonstrates neuroprotective potential in Alzheimer's disease.
- Targeting multiple pathways with riluzole may offer benefits for AD patients.
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