Therapeutic importance of hydrogen sulfide in cognitive impairment diseases

The brain naturally synthesizes hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) via enzymes such as cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST), cysteine aminotransferase (CAT), and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE). From a physiological point of view, H₂S serves as a neuromodulator with antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Recent research suggests that H₂S is crucial in regulating learning and memory, as its downregulation is commonly observed in cognitive impairment diseases. Preclinical studies suggest that external supplementation, through donors like sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), can improve cognitive impairment in various cognitive disorder models. Moreover, numerous molecular mechanisms have been proposed to explain the effects of these H₂S donors. This review aims to detail the roles of H₂S in various models of cognitive impairment and in human subjects, highlighting its potential mechanisms and providing experimental support for its use as a novel therapeutic approach in treating cognitive disorders. Overall, H₂S plays a significant role in the treatment of cognitive impairment diseases, but further large-scale studies are still required to support the results of current research.