Therapeutic options in Alzheimer''s disease. (June 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moreira, Paula I; Zhu, Xiongwei; Nunomura, Akihiko; Smith, Mark A; Perry, George
• Is Part Of: Expert review of neurotherapeutics. Volume 6:Number 6(2006)
• Page Start: 897
• Page End: 910
• Publication Date: 2006-06
• Subjects: Aββ immunotherapy -- antiglutamatergic drugs -- antioxidants -- cholesterol-lowering drugs -- cholinesterase inhibitors -- hormonal replacement therapy -- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs -- secretase inhibitors; Neuropharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.7805
• DOI: 10.1586/14737175.6.6.897
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-7175

Abstract

Alzheimer''s disease (AD) places an enormous burden on individuals, families and society. Consequently, a tremendous effort is being devoted to the development of drugs that prevent or delay neurodegeneration. Current pharmacological treatments are based on the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or memantine, a N -methyl-D-aspartate channel blocker. However, new therapeutic approaches, including those more closely targeted to the pathogenesis of the disease, are being developed. These potentially disease-modifying therapeutics include secretase inhibitors, cholesterol-lowering drugs, amyloid-ββ immunotherapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal modulation and the use of antioxidants. The possibility that oxidative stress is a primary event in AD indicates that antioxidant-based therapies are perhaps the most promising weapons against this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.