Neurotransmitter Systems in Alzheimer's Disease

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurobiology
• Dementia Research

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the primary cause of dementia, characterized by multifactorial pathologies.
• Beyond amyloid plaques and tau tangles, AD involves neuroinflammation, vascular issues, metabolic changes, and synaptic loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of multiple neurotransmitter systems in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.
• To understand how alterations in these systems contribute to cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on neurotransmitter systems in AD.
• Analysis of the interplay between cholinergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, monoaminergic, histaminergic, purinergic, and endocannabinoid systems.

Main Results:

• Early degeneration of the cholinergic system correlates with cognitive decline.
• Glutamatergic excitotoxicity and GABAergic hyperexcitability contribute to neuronal damage.
• Monoaminergic, histaminergic, and purinergic systems are implicated in AD symptoms and neuroinflammation.
• The endocannabinoid system exhibits neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory roles.

Conclusions:

• Neurotransmitter system dysregulation is central to AD pathology.
• Interactions between these systems create pathological circuits amplifying neuronal dysfunction.
• Multimodal and personalized therapeutic strategies are needed due to the limitations of current symptomatic treatments.