Taurine as an Early-Phase Disease-Modifying Candidate for Alzheimer's Disease

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves complex pathology like amyloid-β (Aβ) buildup, tau dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, appearing years before symptoms.
• Early neuroprotective strategies are crucial for altering AD's course in both sporadic and familial forms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the neuroprotective effects of taurine, a safe neuromodulator, on Alzheimer's disease-relevant pathways.
• To evaluate taurine's potential as an early-stage intervention for delaying or preventing AD progression.

Main Methods:

• This review synthesizes existing mechanistic data and preclinical findings on taurine's actions in AD models.
• Evidence from studies investigating taurine's effects on Aβ aggregation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, neuroinflammation, and synaptic integrity was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Taurine demonstrates multi-target effects, including modulation of Aβ aggregation and attenuation of oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
• It preserves mitochondrial homeostasis, suppresses neuroinflammatory signaling, and stabilizes synaptic function.
• These pleiotropic actions position taurine as a promising candidate for early AD intervention.

Conclusions:

• Taurine exhibits significant pleiotropic neuroprotective actions relevant to Alzheimer's disease pathology.
• Its safety profile and multi-target efficacy suggest strong translational potential as a low-risk, early-stage intervention to combat AD progression.