Amyloid Beta: Multiple Mechanisms of Toxicity and Only Some Protective Effects?. (5th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carrillo-Mora, Paul; Luna, Rogelio; Colín-Barenque, Laura
• Other Names: Pedraza-Chaverri José Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-02-05
• Subjects: Oxidative stress -- Periodicals; Cells -- Aging -- Periodicals; Cells -- Aging; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress -- Periodicals; Cell Aging -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 611.0181
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/795375
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-0900

Abstract

Abstract : Amyloid beta (A β ) is a peptide of 39–43 amino acids found in large amounts and forming deposits in the brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). For this reason, it has been implicated in the pathophysiology of damage observed in this type of dementia. However, the role of A β in the pathophysiology of AD is not yet precisely understood. A β has been experimentally shown to have a wide range of toxic mechanisms in vivo and in vitro, such as excitotoxicity, mitochondrial alterations, synaptic dysfunction, altered calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, and so forth. In contrast, A β has also shown some interesting neuroprotective and physiological properties under certain experimental conditions, suggesting that both physiological and pathological roles of A β may depend on several factors. In this paper, we reviewed both toxic and protective mechanisms of A β to further explore what their potential roles could be in the pathophysiology of AD. The complete understanding of such apparently opposed effects will also be an important guide for the therapeutic efforts coming in the future.