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Tan SZK, Zhao RC, Chakrabarti S, Stambler I, Jin K, Lim LW. Interdisciplinary Research in Alzheimer's Disease and the Roles International Societies Can Play. Aging Dis 2021; 12:36-41. [PMID: 33532125 PMCID: PMC7801283 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2020.0602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
An ever-increasing ageing population has elevated Alzheimer's disease to be one of the biggest challenges in modern medicine. Alzheimer's disease is highly complex, and we are still no closer to understanding the causes, let alone an effective treatment. The lack of good experimental models and lack of critical understanding has led to high failure rates of clinical trials with high associated costs, as well as difficulties in implementing treatments. The multifaceted nature of this disease highlights the need for an interdisciplinary approach to address these concerns. In this essay, we suggest how collaborative work can be useful in addressing some of the above issues. We then propose that international organisations and publishers need to support interdisciplinary research by creating platforms, lobbying funders, and pushing for interdisciplinary publications. We further highlight some of the issues involved in implementing these suggestions and argue that willpower of the research community, together with a re-evaluation of evaluation metrics and incentive systems, are needed in order to foster interdisciplinary research. Overall, we emphasise the need for interdisciplinary research in Alzheimer's disease and suggest that international societies should play a huge role in this endeavour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Zheng Kai Tan
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Robert Chunhua Zhao
- International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD), Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
- The Executive Committee on Anti-aging and Disease Prevention in the framework of Science and Technology, Pharmacology and Medicine Themes under an Interactive Atlas along the Silk Roads, UNESCO, Paris, France.
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Sasanka Chakrabarti
- International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD), Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
- The Executive Committee on Anti-aging and Disease Prevention in the framework of Science and Technology, Pharmacology and Medicine Themes under an Interactive Atlas along the Silk Roads, UNESCO, Paris, France.
- Department of Biochemistry and Central Research Cell, M M Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana, India.
| | - Ilia Stambler
- International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD), Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
- The Executive Committee on Anti-aging and Disease Prevention in the framework of Science and Technology, Pharmacology and Medicine Themes under an Interactive Atlas along the Silk Roads, UNESCO, Paris, France.
- The Geriatric Medical Center "Shmuel Harofe", Beer Yaakov, affiliated to Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
| | - Kunlin Jin
- International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD), Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
- The Executive Committee on Anti-aging and Disease Prevention in the framework of Science and Technology, Pharmacology and Medicine Themes under an Interactive Atlas along the Silk Roads, UNESCO, Paris, France.
- Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas, USA.
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- International Society on Aging and Disease (ISOAD), Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
- The Executive Committee on Anti-aging and Disease Prevention in the framework of Science and Technology, Pharmacology and Medicine Themes under an Interactive Atlas along the Silk Roads, UNESCO, Paris, France.
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Chen X, Salehi A, Pearn ML, Overk C, Nguyen PD, Kleschevnikov AM, Maccecchini M, Mobley WC. Targeting increased levels of APP in Down syndrome: Posiphen-mediated reductions in APP and its products reverse endosomal phenotypes in the Ts65Dn mouse model. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 17:271-292. [PMID: 32975365 PMCID: PMC7984396 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent clinical trials targeting amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have yet to demonstrate efficacy. Reviewing the hypotheses for AD pathogenesis and defining possible links between them may enhance insights into both upstream initiating events and downstream mechanisms, thereby promoting discovery of novel treatments. Evidence that in Down syndrome (DS), a population markedly predisposed to develop early onset AD, increased APP gene dose is necessary for both AD neuropathology and dementia points to normalization of the levels of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its products as a route to further define AD pathogenesis and discovering novel treatments. BACKGROUND AD and DS share several characteristic manifestations. DS is caused by trisomy of whole or part of chromosome 21; this chromosome contains about 233 protein-coding genes, including APP. Recent evidence points to a defining role for increased expression of the gene for APP and for its 99 amino acid C-terminal fragment (C99, also known as β-CTF) in dysregulating the endosomal/lysosomal system. The latter is critical for normal cellular function and in neurons for transmitting neurotrophic signals. NEW/UPDATED HYPOTHESIS We hypothesize that the increase in APP gene dose in DS initiates a process in which increased levels of full-length APP (fl-APP) and its products, including β-CTF and possibly Aβ peptides (Aβ42 and Aβ40), drive AD pathogenesis through an endosome-dependent mechanism(s), which compromises transport of neurotrophic signals. To test this hypothesis, we carried out studies in the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS and examined the effects of Posiphen, an orally available small molecule shown in prior studies to reduce fl-APP. In vitro, Posiphen lowered fl-APP and its C-terminal fragments, reversed Rab5 hyperactivation and early endosome enlargement, and restored retrograde transport of neurotrophin signaling. In vivo, Posiphen treatment (50 mg/kg/d, 26 days, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) of Ts65Dn mice was well tolerated and demonstrated no adverse effects in behavior. Treatment resulted in normalization of the levels of fl-APP, C-terminal fragments and small reductions in Aβ species, restoration to normal levels of Rab5 activity, reduced phosphorylated tau (p-tau), and reversed deficits in TrkB (tropomyosin receptor kinase B) activation and in the Akt (protein kinase B [PKB]), ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), and CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) signaling pathways. Remarkably, Posiphen treatment also restored the level of choline acetyltransferase protein to 2N levels. These findings support the APP gene dose hypothesis, point to the need for additional studies to explore the mechanisms by which increased APP gene expression acts to increase the risk for AD in DS, and to possible utility of treatments to normalize the levels of APP and its products for preventing AD in those with DS. MAJOR CHALLENGES FOR THE HYPOTHESIS Important unanswered questions are: (1) When should one intervene in those with DS; (2) would an APP-based strategy have untoward consequences on possible adaptive changes induced by chronically increased APP gene dose; (3) do other genes present on chromosome 21, or on other chromosomes whose expression is dysregulated in DS, contribute to AD pathogenesis; and (4) can one model strategies that combine the use of an APP-based treatment with those directed at other AD phenotypes including p-tau and inflammation. LINKAGE TO OTHER MAJOR THEORIES The APP gene dose hypothesis interfaces with the amyloid cascade hypothesis of AD as well as with the genetic and cell biological observations that support it. Moreover, upregulation of fl-APP protein and products may drive downstream events that dysregulate tau homeostasis and inflammatory responses that contribute to propagation of AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu‐Qiao Chen
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ahmad Salehi
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral SciencesStanford Medical SchoolPalo AltoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Matthew L. Pearn
- Department of AnesthesiologyUniversity of California San Diego, School of MedicineLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- V.A. San Diego Healthcare SystemSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Cassia Overk
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Phuong D. Nguyen
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | - William C. Mobley
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
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Drude NI, Martinez Gamboa L, Danziger M, Dirnagl U, Toelch U. Improving preclinical studies through replications. eLife 2021; 10:e62101. [PMID: 33432925 PMCID: PMC7817176 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of preclinical research is to inform the development of novel diagnostics or therapeutics, and the results of experiments on animal models of disease often inform the decision to conduct studies in humans. However, a substantial number of clinical trials fail, even when preclinical studies have apparently demonstrated the efficacy of a given intervention. A number of large-scale replication studies are currently trying to identify the factors that influence the robustness of preclinical research. Here, we discuss replications in the context of preclinical research trajectories, and argue that increasing validity should be a priority when selecting experiments to replicate and when performing the replication. We conclude that systematically improving three domains of validity - internal, external and translational - will result in a more efficient allocation of resources, will be more ethical, and will ultimately increase the chances of successful translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Ingrid Drude
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité–UniversitätsmedizinBerlinGermany
- BIH QUEST Center for Transforming Biomedical Research, Berlin Institute of HealthBerlinGermany
| | - Lorena Martinez Gamboa
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité–UniversitätsmedizinBerlinGermany
- BIH QUEST Center for Transforming Biomedical Research, Berlin Institute of HealthBerlinGermany
| | - Meggie Danziger
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité–UniversitätsmedizinBerlinGermany
- BIH QUEST Center for Transforming Biomedical Research, Berlin Institute of HealthBerlinGermany
| | - Ulrich Dirnagl
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité–UniversitätsmedizinBerlinGermany
- BIH QUEST Center for Transforming Biomedical Research, Berlin Institute of HealthBerlinGermany
| | - Ulf Toelch
- BIH QUEST Center for Transforming Biomedical Research, Berlin Institute of HealthBerlinGermany
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Peneda Pacheco D, Suárez Vargas N, Visentin S, Petrini P. From tissue engineering to engineering tissues: the role and application of in vitro models. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:70-83. [DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01097a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This review defines and explores the engineering process and the multifaceted potential and limitations of models within the biomedical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Peneda Pacheco
- Department of Chemistry
- Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” – Politecnico di Milano
- Italy
| | - Natalia Suárez Vargas
- Department of Chemistry
- Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” – Politecnico di Milano
- Italy
| | - Sonja Visentin
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences Department
- University of Torino
- Torino
- Italy
| | - Paola Petrini
- Department of Chemistry
- Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” – Politecnico di Milano
- Italy
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research (Centro 3R)
- Politecnico di Milano Unit
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Moezzi SMI, Mozafari N, Fazel-Hoseini SM, Nadimi-Parashkoohi S, Abbasi H, Ashrafi H, Azadi A. Apolipoprotein J in Alzheimer's Disease: Shedding Light on Its Role with Cell Signaling Pathway Perspective and Possible Therapeutic Approaches. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:4060-4072. [PMID: 33251792 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Apolipoprotein J (ApoJ), or clusterin, is one of the main apolipoproteins in the brain. It is synthesized and released from astrocytes in a healthy brain, and its expression increases in neurodegenerative disorders. Genetic evidence has suggested an association between ApoJ polymorphism and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-it is now considered the third main genetic risk factor for late-onset AD. However, the role of ApoJ overexpression in the state of disorder, toxicity, or protection is not yet clear. Since ApoJ plays different roles in AD, we review the function of ApoJ using different cell signaling pathways in AD and outline its paradoxical roles in AD. ApoJ helps in amyloid-beta (Aβ) clearance. Vice versa, ApoJ gene knock-out causes fibrillary Aβ reduction and prevents Aβ-induced neuron cell death. Understanding ApoJ, through various cellular signaling pathways, creates a new perspective on AD's cellular principles. The overall message is that ApoJ can be a valuable tool in controlling AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Negin Mozafari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Sadra Nadimi-Parashkoohi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hosein Abbasi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hajar Ashrafi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Azadi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Lo Giudice M, Mihalik B, Turi Z, Dinnyés A, Kobolák J. Calcilytic NPS 2143 Reduces Amyloid Secretion and Increases sAβPPα Release from PSEN1 Mutant iPSC-Derived Neurons. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 72:885-899. [PMID: 31640098 PMCID: PMC6918902 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite numerous efforts and studies over the last three decades, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a disorder not fully understood and incurable so far. Development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to obtain terminally differentiated neurons from adult somatic cells revolutionized the study of AD, providing a powerful tool for modelling the disease and for screening candidate drugs. Indeed, iPSC reprogramming allowed generation of neurons from both sporadic and familial AD patients with the promise to recapitulate the early pathological mechanisms in vitro and to identify novel targets. Interestingly, NPS 2143, a negative allosteric modulator of the calcium sensing receptor, has been indicated as a possible therapeutic for AD. In the present study, we assessed the potential of our iPSC-based familial AD cellular model as a platform for drug testing. We found that iPSC-derived neurons respond to treatment with γ-secretase inhibitor, modifying the physiological amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) processing and amyloid-β (Aβ) secretion. Moreover, we demonstrated the expression of calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) protein in human neurons derived from healthy and familial AD subjects. Finally, we showed that calcilytic NPS 2143 induced a changing of Aβ and sAβPPα secreted into conditioned media and modulation of CaSR and PSEN1 expression at the plasma membrane of AD neurons. Overall, our findings suggest that NPS 2143 affects important AD processes in a relevant in vitro system of familial AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lo Giudice
- BioTalentum Ltd., Gödöllő, Hungary.,Molecular Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | | | | | - András Dinnyés
- BioTalentum Ltd., Gödöllő, Hungary.,Molecular Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Szent István University, Gödöllő, Hungary
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Wang JKT. Uniting homeostatic plasticity and exosome biology: A revision of the conceptual framework for drug discovery in neurodegenerative diseases? ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 90:277-306. [PMID: 33706937 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2020.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are in need of new drug discovery approaches. Our previous systematic analyses of Huntington's Disease (HD) literature for protein-protein interactors (PPIs) and modifiers of mutant Huntingtin-driven phenotypes revealed enrichment for PPIs of genes required for homeostatic synaptic plasticity (HSP) and exosome (EV) function and exosomal proteins, which in turn highly overlapped each other and with PPIs of genes associated with other NDDs. We proposed that HSP and EVs are linked to each other and are also involved in NDD pathophysiology. Recent studies showed that HSP is indeed altered in HD and AD, and that presynaptic homeostatic plasticity in motoneurons compensates for ALS pathology. Eliminating it causes earlier degeneration and death. If this holds true in other NDDs, drug discovery in animal models should then include elucidation of homeostatic compensation that either masks phenotypes of physiologically expressed mutant genes or are overridden by their overexpression. In this new conceptual framework, enhancing such underlying homeostatic compensation forms the basis for novel therapeutic strategies to slow progression of NDDs. Moreover, if EVs are linked to HSP, then their ability to penetrate the brain, target cell types, deliver miRNA and other molecules can be leveraged to develop attractive drug modalities. Testing this new framework is posed as four questions on model development and mechanistic studies progressing from higher throughput platforms to mouse models. Similar approaches may apply to other CNS disorders including schizophrenia, autism, Rett and Fragile X syndromes due to potential links of their susceptibility genes to HSP and EVs.
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58
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Carter CS, Richardson A, Huffman DM, Austad S. Bring Back the Rat! J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2020; 75:405-415. [PMID: 31894235 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glz298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As 2020 is "The Year of the Rat" in the Chinese astrological calendar, it seems an appropriate time to consider whether we should bring back the laboratory rat to front-and-center in research on the basic biology of mammalian aging. Beginning in the 1970s, aging research with rats became common, peaking in 1992 but then declined dramatically by 2018 as the mouse became preeminent. The purpose of this review is to highlight some of the historical contributions as well as current advantages of the rat as a mammalian model of human aging, because we suspect at least a generation of researchers is no longer aware of this history or these advantages. Herein, we compare and contrast the mouse and rat in the context of several biological domains relevant to their use as appropriate models of aging: phylogeny/domestication, longevity interventions, pathology/physiology, and behavior/cognition. It is not the goal of this review to give a complete characterization of the differences between mice and rats, but to provide important examples of why using rats as well as mice is important to advance our understanding of the biology of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy S Carter
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Arlan Richardson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, and the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center
| | - Derek M Huffman
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, and Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Steven Austad
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham
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Human Autopsy-Derived Scalp Fibroblast Biobanking for Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disease Research. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112383. [PMID: 33143239 PMCID: PMC7692621 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders/Brain and Body Donation Program at Banner Sun Health Research Institute (BSHRI) is a longitudinal clinicopathological study with a current enrollment of more than 900 living subjects for aging and neurodegenerative disease research. Annual clinical assessments are done by cognitive and movement neurologists and neuropsychologists. Brain and body tissues are collected at a median postmortem interval of 3.0 h for neuropathological diagnosis and banking. Since 2018, the program has undertaken banking of scalp fibroblasts derived from neuropathologically characterized donors with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we describe the procedure development and cell characteristics from 14 male and 15 female donors (mean ± SD of age: 83.6 ± 12.2). Fibroblasts from explant cultures were banked at passage 3. The results of mRNA analysis showed positive expression of fibroblast activation protein, vimentin, fibronectin, and THY1 cell surface antigen. We also demonstrated that the banked fibroblasts from a postmortem elderly donor were successfully reprogramed to human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Taken together, we have demonstrated the successful establishment of a human autopsy-derived fibroblast banking program. The cryogenically preserved cells are available for request at the program website of the BSHRI.
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Hamieh AM, Camperos E, Hernier AM, Castagné V. C57BL/6 mice as a preclinical model to study age-related cognitive deficits: Executive functions impairment and inter-individual differences. Brain Res 2020; 1751:147173. [PMID: 33148432 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to characterize age-related deficits of mice using different behavioral endpoints, with a focus on executive function and performance heterogeneity. METHODS 2 month-old and 18 month-old C57BL/6J mice were tested in the novelty-based spatial preference Y-maze test and in sequential tasks in the Morris water maze test (reference memory, reversal learning and working memory), before being evaluated for motor skills in the activity meter and accelerating rotarod tests. RESULTS Aged mice displayed an almost normal acquisition in the water maze test, however, difficulties were observed in ability to perform reversal learning and working memory tasks. A marked heterogeneity characterized the performances of aged mice in both Morris water maze and Y-maze tests. Good and poor performers were observed in aged mice although the number of these mice varied depending on the cognitive parameter considered. CONCLUSION Aged mice display deficits in executive function and working memory, with varying severity between individual subjects, something that is also observed in other older animals and humans. Taking into account the heterogeneity in aged subjects within the experimental design of studies evaluating pharmacological treatments represents a promising way to improve the translational value of preclinical studies. In future studies, preselection of poor performers administered with cognitive enhancers and use of good performers as controls is suggested so that all cohorts of aged mice show similar physical and motor characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Al Mahdy Hamieh
- Porsolt SAS, ZA de Glatigné, 53940 Le Genest-Saint-Isle, France.
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61
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Finkbeiner S. Functional genomics, genetic risk profiling and cell phenotypes in neurodegenerative disease. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 146:105088. [PMID: 32977020 PMCID: PMC7686089 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Human genetics provides unbiased insights into the causes of human disease, which can be used to create a foundation for effective ways to more accurately diagnose patients, stratify patients for more successful clinical trials, discover and develop new therapies, and ultimately help patients choose the safest and most promising therapeutic option based on their risk profile. But the process for translating basic observations from human genetics studies into pathogenic disease mechanisms and treatments is laborious and complex, and this challenge has particularly slowed the development of interventions for neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we discuss the many steps in the process, the important considerations at each stage, and some of the latest tools and technologies that are available to help investigators translate insights from human genetics into diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that will lead to the sort of advances in clinical care that make a difference for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Finkbeiner
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics, USA; Taube/Koret Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Departments of Neurology and Physiology, University of Califorina, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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Stazi M, Wirths O. Chronic Memantine Treatment Ameliorates Behavioral Deficits, Neuron Loss, and Impaired Neurogenesis in a Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 58:204-216. [PMID: 32914393 PMCID: PMC7695672 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02120-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Memantine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist possessing neuroprotective properties, belongs to the small group of drugs which have been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). While several preclinical studies employing different transgenic AD mouse models have described beneficial effects with regard to rescued behavioral deficits or reduced amyloid plaque pathology, it is largely unknown whether memantine might have beneficial effects on neurodegeneration. In the current study, we assessed whether memantine treatment has an impact on hippocampal neuron loss and associated behavioral deficits in the Tg4-42 mouse model of AD. We demonstrate that a chronic oral memantine treatment for 4 months diminishes hippocampal CA1 neuron loss and rescues learning and memory performance in different behavioral paradigms, such as Morris water maze or a novel object recognition task. Cognitive benefits of chronic memantine treatment were accompanied by an amelioration of impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Taken together, our results demonstrate that memantine successfully counteracts pathological alterations in a preclinical mouse model of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Stazi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August University, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Wirths
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August University, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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Reiss AB, Glass AD, Wisniewski T, Wolozin B, Gomolin IH, Pinkhasov A, De Leon J, Stecker MM. Alzheimer's disease: many failed trials, so where do we go from here? J Investig Med 2020; 68:1135-1140. [PMID: 32699179 DOI: 10.1136/jim-2020-001297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder associated with relentlessly progressive cognitive impairment and memory loss. AD pathology proceeds for decades before cognitive deficits become clinically apparent, opening a window for preventative therapy. Imbalance of clearance and buildup of amyloid β and phosphorylated tau proteins in the central nervous system is believed to contribute to AD pathogenesis. However, multiple clinical trials of treatments aimed at averting accumulation of these proteins have yielded little success, and there is still no disease-modifying intervention. Here, we discuss current knowledge of AD pathology and treatment with an emphasis on emerging biomarkers and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Bethanne Reiss
- Medicine, NYU Long Island School of Medicine and NYU Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA
| | - Amy D Glass
- Medicine, NYU Long Island School of Medicine and NYU Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA
| | - Thomas Wisniewski
- Departments of Neurology, Pathology and Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin Wolozin
- Departments of Pharmacology and Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Irving H Gomolin
- Medicine, NYU Long Island School of Medicine and NYU Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA
| | - Aaron Pinkhasov
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA
| | - Joshua De Leon
- Medicine, NYU Long Island School of Medicine and NYU Winthrop Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA
| | - Mark M Stecker
- Neurology, UCSF San Francisco/Fresno, Fresno, California, USA
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Modeling neurological disease using human stem cell-derived microglia-like cells transplanted into rodent brains. Lab Anim (NY) 2020; 49:49-51. [PMID: 31932736 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-019-0465-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Pistollato F, Bernasconi C, McCarthy J, Campia I, Desaintes C, Wittwehr C, Deceuninck P, Whelan M. Alzheimer's Disease, and Breast and Prostate Cancer Research: Translational Failures and the Importance to Monitor Outputs and Impact of Funded Research. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1194. [PMID: 32674379 PMCID: PMC7401638 DOI: 10.3390/ani10071194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia and cancer are becoming increasingly prevalent in Western countries. In the last two decades, research focused on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cancer, in particular, breast cancer (BC) and prostate cancer (PC), has been substantially funded both in Europe and worldwide. While scientific research outcomes have contributed to increase our understanding of the disease etiopathology, still the prevalence of these chronic degenerative conditions remains very high across the globe. By definition, no model is perfect. In particular, animal models of AD, BC, and PC have been and still are traditionally used in basic/fundamental, translational, and preclinical research to study human disease mechanisms, identify new therapeutic targets, and develop new drugs. However, animals do not adequately model some essential features of human disease; therefore, they are often unable to pave the way to the development of drugs effective in human patients. The rise of new technological tools and models in life science, and the increasing need for multidisciplinary approaches have encouraged many interdisciplinary research initiatives. With considerable funds being invested in biomedical research, it is becoming pivotal to define and apply indicators to monitor the contribution to innovation and impact of funded research. Here, we discuss some of the issues underlying translational failure in AD, BC, and PC research, and describe how indicators could be applied to retrospectively measure outputs and impact of funded biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pistollato
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (C.B.); (I.C.); (C.W.); (P.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Camilla Bernasconi
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (C.B.); (I.C.); (C.W.); (P.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Janine McCarthy
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (C.B.); (I.C.); (C.W.); (P.D.); (M.W.)
- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), Washington, DC 20016, USA;
| | - Ivana Campia
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (C.B.); (I.C.); (C.W.); (P.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Christian Desaintes
- European Commission, Directorate General for Research and Innovation (RTD), 1000 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Clemens Wittwehr
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (C.B.); (I.C.); (C.W.); (P.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Pierre Deceuninck
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (C.B.); (I.C.); (C.W.); (P.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Maurice Whelan
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, Italy; (C.B.); (I.C.); (C.W.); (P.D.); (M.W.)
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Fantini J, Chahinian H, Yahi N. Progress toward Alzheimer's disease treatment: Leveraging the Achilles' heel of Aβ oligomers? Protein Sci 2020; 29:1748-1759. [PMID: 32567070 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
After three decades of false hopes and failures, a pipeline of therapeutic drugs that target the actual root cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is now available. Challenging the old paradigm that focused on β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) aggregation in amyloid plaques, these compounds are designed to prevent the neurotoxicity of Aβ oligomers that form Ca2+ permeable pores in the membranes of brain cells. By triggering an intracellular Ca2+ overdose, Aβ oligomers induce a cascade of neurotoxic events including oxidative stress, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neuronal loss. Targeting any post-Ca2+ entry steps (e.g., tau) will not address the root cause of the disease. Thus, preventing Aβ oligomers formation and/or blocking their toxicity is by essence the best approach to stop any progression of AD. Three categories of anti-oligomer compounds are already available: antibodies, synthetic peptides, and small drugs. Independent in silico-based designs of a peptide (AmyP53) and a monoclonal antibody (PMN310) converged to identify a histidine motif (H13/H14) that is critical for oligomer neutralization. This "histidine trick" can be viewed as the Achilles' heel of Aβ in the fight against AD. Moreover, lipid rafts and especially gangliosides play a critical role in the formation and toxicity of Aβ oligomers. Recognizing AD as a membrane disorder and gangliosides as the key anti-oligomer targets will provide innovative opportunities to find an efficient cure. A "full efficient" solution would also need to be affordable to anyone, as the number of patients has been following an exponential increase, affecting every part of the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Fantini
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Henri Chahinian
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Nouara Yahi
- INSERM UMR_S 1072, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
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67
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Myers A, McGonigle P. Overview of Transgenic Mouse Models for Alzheimer's Disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 89:e81. [PMID: 31532917 DOI: 10.1002/cpns.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review describes several transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that causes progressive cognitive decline and is diagnosed postmortem by the presence of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and intraneuronal tau neurofibrillary tangles in the cerebral cortex. Currently there is no intervention that cures, prevents, or even slows disease progression. Its complex etiology and pathology pose significant challenges for animal model development, and there is no single model that faithfully recapitulates both the pathological aspects and behavioral phenotypes of AD. Nearly 200 transgenic rodent models of AD have been generated primarily based on mutations linked to Aβ protein misprocessing in the familial form of the disease. More recent models incorporate mutations in tau protein, as well as mutations associated with the sporadic form of the disease. The salient features, strengths, limitations, and key differentiators for the most commonly used and best characterized of these models are considered here. While the translational utility of many of these models to assess the potential of novel therapeutics is in dispute, knowledge of the different models available and a detailed understanding of their features can aid in the selection of the optimal model to explore disease mechanisms or evaluate candidate medications. We comment on the predictive utility of these models considering recent clinical trial failures and discuss trends and future directions in the development of models for AD based on the plethora of clinical data that have been generated over the last decade. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariana Myers
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California
| | - Paul McGonigle
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Mullane K, Williams M. Alzheimer’s disease beyond amyloid: Can the repetitive failures of amyloid-targeted therapeutics inform future approaches to dementia drug discovery? Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113945. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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69
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Millan MJ, Dekeyne A, Gobert A, Brocco M, Mannoury la Cour C, Ortuno JC, Watson D, Fone KCF. Dual-acting agents for improving cognition and real-world function in Alzheimer's disease: Focus on 5-HT6 and D3 receptors as hubs. Neuropharmacology 2020; 177:108099. [PMID: 32525060 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
To date, there are no interventions that impede the inexorable progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and currently-available drugs cholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and the N-Methyl-d-Aspartate receptor antagonist, memantine, offer only modest symptomatic benefit. Moreover, a range of mechanistically-diverse agents (glutamatergic, histaminergic, monoaminergic, cholinergic) have disappointed in clinical trials, alone and/or in association with AChE inhibitors. This includes serotonin (5-HT) receptor-6 antagonists, despite compelling preclinical observations in rodents and primates suggesting a positive influence on cognition. The emphasis has so far been on high selectivity. However, for a multi-factorial disorder like idiopathic AD, 5-HT6 antagonists possessing additional pharmacological actions might be more effective, by analogy to "multi-target" antipsychotics. Based on this notion, drug discovery programmes have coupled 5-HT6 blockade to 5-HT4 agonism and inhibition of AchE. Further, combined 5-HT6/dopamine D3 receptor (D3) antagonists are of especial interest since D3 blockade mirrors 5-HT6 antagonism in exerting broad-based pro-cognitive properties in animals. Moreover, 5-HT6 and dopamine D3 antagonists promote neurocognition and social cognition via both distinctive and convergent actions expressed mainly in frontal cortex, including suppression of mTOR over-activation and reinforcement of cholinergic and glutamatergic transmission. In addition, 5-HT6 blockade affords potential anti-anxiety, anti-depressive and anti-epileptic properties, and antagonising 5-HT6 receptors may be associated with neuroprotective ("disease-modifying") properties. Finally D3 antagonism may counter psychotic episodes and D3 receptors themselves offer a promising hub for multi-target agents. The present article reviews the status of "R and D" into multi-target 5-HT6 and D3 ligands for improved treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative disorders of aging. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'Serotonin Research: Crossing Scales and Boundaries'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Millan
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, Institut de Recherche Servier, 78290, Croissy sur Seine, France.
| | - Anne Dekeyne
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, Institut de Recherche Servier, 78290, Croissy sur Seine, France
| | - Alain Gobert
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, Institut de Recherche Servier, 78290, Croissy sur Seine, France
| | - Mauricette Brocco
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, Institut de Recherche Servier, 78290, Croissy sur Seine, France
| | - Clotilde Mannoury la Cour
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation in Neuropsychiatry, Institut de Recherche Servier, 78290, Croissy sur Seine, France
| | - Jean-Claude Ortuno
- Centre for Excellence in Chemistry, Institut de Recherche Servier, 78290, Croissy sur Seine, France
| | - David Watson
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, The University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, England, UK
| | - Kevin C F Fone
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, The University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, England, UK
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70
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Stefanescu R, Stanciu GD, Luca A, Paduraru L, Tamba BI. Secondary Metabolites from Plants Possessing Inhibitory Properties against Beta-Amyloid Aggregation as Revealed by Thioflavin-T Assay and Correlations with Investigations on Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E870. [PMID: 32517180 PMCID: PMC7355648 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder for which there is a continuous search of drugs able to reduce or stop the cognitive decline. Beta-amyloid peptides are composed of 40 and 42 amino acids and are considered a major cause of neuronal toxicity. They are prone to aggregation, yielding oligomers and fibrils through the inter-molecular binding between the amino acid sequences (17-42) of multiple amyloid-beta molecules. Additionally, amyloid deposition causes cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The present study aims to identify, in the existing literature, natural plant derived products possessing inhibitory properties against aggregation. The studies searched proved the anti-aggregating effects by the thioflavin T assay and through behavioral, biochemical, and histological analysis carried out upon administration of natural chemical compounds to transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. According to our present study results, fifteen secondary metabolites from plants were identified which presented both evidence coming from the thioflavin T assay and transgenic mouse models developing Alzheimer's disease and six additional metabolites were mentioned due to their inhibitory effects against fibrillogenesis. Among them, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, luteolin, myricetin, and silibinin were proven to lower the aggregation to less than 40%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca Stefanescu
- Center for Advanced Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.S.); (A.L.); (B.-I.T.)
| | - Gabriela Dumitriṭa Stanciu
- Center for Advanced Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.S.); (A.L.); (B.-I.T.)
| | - Andrei Luca
- Center for Advanced Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.S.); (A.L.); (B.-I.T.)
- Department of Pneumology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Luminita Paduraru
- Division Neonatology, Department Mother & Child Care, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Bogdan-Ionel Tamba
- Center for Advanced Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (R.S.); (A.L.); (B.-I.T.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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71
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Zeiss CJ. Utility of spontaneous animal models of Alzheimer’s disease in preclinical efficacy studies. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 380:273-286. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03198-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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72
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Scearce-Levie K, Sanchez PE, Lewcock JW. Leveraging preclinical models for the development of Alzheimer disease therapeutics. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 19:447-462. [PMID: 32612262 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-0065-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A large number of mouse models have been engineered, characterized and used to advance biomedical research in Alzheimer disease (AD). Early models simply damaged the rodent brain through toxins or lesions. Later, the spread of genetic engineering technology enabled investigators to develop models of familial AD by overexpressing human genes such as those encoding amyloid precursor protein (APP) or presenilins (PSEN1 or PSEN2) carrying mutations linked to early-onset AD. Recently, more complex models have sought to explore the impact of multiple genetic risk factors in the context of different biological challenges. Although none of these models has proven to be a fully faithful reproduction of the human disease, models remain essential as tools to improve our understanding of AD biology, conduct thorough pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses, discover translatable biomarkers and evaluate specific therapeutic approaches. To realize the full potential of animal models as new technologies and knowledge become available, it is critical to define an optimal strategy for their use. Here, we review progress and challenges in the use of AD mouse models, highlight emerging scientific innovations in model development, and introduce a conceptual framework for use of preclinical models for therapeutic development.
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73
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Zambrano P, Suwalsky M, Jemiola-Rzeminska M, Strzalka K, Aguilar LF. An in vitro study on the interaction of the anti-Alzheimer drug rivastigmine with human erythrocytes. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 319:109019. [PMID: 32092302 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2020.109019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a frequently used therapeutic option to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). By decreasing the levels of acetylcholine degradation in the synaptic space, some cognitive functions of patients suffering from this disease are significantly improved. Rivastigmine is one of the most widely used AChE inhibitors. The objective of this work was to determine the effects of this drug on human erythrocytes, which have a type of AChE in the cell membrane. To that end, human erythrocytes and molecular models of its membrane constituted by dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE) were used. They correspond to classes of phospholipids present in the outer and inner monolayers of the human erythrocyte membrane, respectively. The experimental results obtained by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that rivastigmine molecules were able to interact with both phospholipids. Fluorescence spectroscopy results showed that rivastigmine produce a slight change in the acyl chain packing order and a weak displacement of the water molecules of the hydrophobic-hydrophilic membrane interface. On the other hand, observations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the drug changed the normal biconcave shape of erythrocytes in stomatocytes (cup-shaped cells) and echinocytes (speculated shaped).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Zambrano
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
| | - Mario Suwalsky
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Malgorzata Jemiola-Rzeminska
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Kazimierz Strzalka
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland; Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Luis F Aguilar
- Instituto de Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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74
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Takeuchi Y, Berényi A. Oscillotherapeutics - Time-targeted interventions in epilepsy and beyond. Neurosci Res 2020; 152:87-107. [PMID: 31954733 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Oscillatory brain activities support many physiological functions from motor control to cognition. Disruptions of the normal oscillatory brain activities are commonly observed in neurological and psychiatric disorders including epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, anxiety/trauma-related disorders, major depressive disorders, and drug addiction. Therefore, these disorders can be considered as common oscillation defects despite having distinct behavioral manifestations and genetic causes. Recent technical advances of neuronal activity recording and analysis have allowed us to study the pathological oscillations of each disorder as a possible biomarker of symptoms. Furthermore, recent advances in brain stimulation technologies enable time- and space-targeted interventions of the pathological oscillations of both neurological disorders and psychiatric disorders as possible targets for regulating their symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Takeuchi
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary; Department of Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, 467-8603, Japan.
| | - Antal Berényi
- MTA-SZTE 'Momentum' Oscillatory Neuronal Networks Research Group, Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary; HCEMM-SZTE Magnetotherapeutics Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary; Neuroscience Institute, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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75
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Zeiss CJ, Shin D, Vander Wyk B, Beck AP, Zatz N, Sneiderman CA, Kilicoglu H. Menagerie: A text-mining tool to support animal-human translation in neurodegeneration research. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226176. [PMID: 31846471 PMCID: PMC6917268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Discovery studies in animals constitute a cornerstone of biomedical research, but suffer from lack of generalizability to human populations. We propose that large-scale interrogation of these data could reveal patterns of animal use that could narrow the translational divide. We describe a text-mining approach that extracts translationally useful data from PubMed abstracts. These comprise six modules: species, model, genes, interventions/disease modifiers, overall outcome and functional outcome measures. Existing National Library of Medicine natural language processing tools (SemRep, GNormPlus and the Chemical annotator) underpin the program and are further augmented by various rules, term lists, and machine learning models. Evaluation of the program using a 98-abstract test set achieved F1 scores ranging from 0.75-0.95 across all modules, and exceeded F1 scores obtained from comparable baseline programs. Next, the program was applied to a larger 14,481 abstract data set (2008-2017). Expected and previously identified patterns of species and model use for the field were obtained. As previously noted, the majority of studies reported promising outcomes. Longitudinal patterns of intervention type or gene mentions were demonstrated, and patterns of animal model use characteristic of the Parkinson's disease field were confirmed. The primary function of the program is to overcome low external validity of animal model systems by aggregating evidence across a diversity of models that capture different aspects of a multifaceted cellular process. Some aspects of the tool are generalizable, whereas others are field-specific. In the initial version presented here, we demonstrate proof of concept within a single disease area, Parkinson's disease. However, the program can be expanded in modular fashion to support a wider range of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline J. Zeiss
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Dongwook Shin
- Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Brent Vander Wyk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Amanda P. Beck
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Natalie Zatz
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Charles A. Sneiderman
- Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Halil Kilicoglu
- Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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76
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Hegde AN, Smith SG, Duke LM, Pourquoi A, Vaz S. Perturbations of Ubiquitin-Proteasome-Mediated Proteolysis in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:324. [PMID: 31866849 PMCID: PMC6910070 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) has multiple roles in the normal nervous system, including the development of synaptic connections and synaptic plasticity. Research over the past several years has indicated a role for the UPP in aging without any overt pathology in the brain. In addition, malfunction of the UPP is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia associated with it. In this mini review article, we assess the literature on the role of protein degradation by the UPP in aging and in AD with special emphasis on dysregulation of the UPP and its contribution to cognitive decline and impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok N Hegde
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA, United States
| | - Spencer G Smith
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA, United States
| | - Lindsey M Duke
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA, United States
| | - Allison Pourquoi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA, United States
| | - Savannah Vaz
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA, United States
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77
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Paranjpe MD, Taubes A, Sirota M. Insights into Computational Drug Repurposing for Neurodegenerative Disease. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2019; 40:565-576. [PMID: 31326236 PMCID: PMC6771436 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Computational drug repurposing has the ability to remarkably reduce drug development time and cost in an era where these factors are prohibitively high. Several examples of successful repurposed drugs exist in fields such as oncology, diabetes, leprosy, inflammatory bowel disease, among others, however computational drug repurposing in neurodegenerative disease has presented several unique challenges stemming from the lack of validation methods and difficulty in studying heterogenous diseases of aging. Here, we examine existing approaches to computational drug repurposing, including molecular, clinical, and biophysical methods, and propose data sources and methods to advance computational drug repurposing in neurodegenerative disease using Alzheimer's disease as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish D Paranjpe
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Alice Taubes
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Marina Sirota
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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78
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Mango D, Saidi A, Cisale GY, Feligioni M, Corbo M, Nisticò R. Targeting Synaptic Plasticity in Experimental Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:778. [PMID: 31379566 PMCID: PMC6646937 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) of hippocampal synaptic transmission represent the principal experimental models underlying learning and memory. Alterations of synaptic plasticity are observed in several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Indeed, synaptic dysfunction is an early event in AD, making it an attractive therapeutic target for pharmaceutical intervention. To date, intensive investigations have characterized hippocampal synaptic transmission, LTP, and LTD in in vitro and in murine models of AD. In this review, we describe the synaptic alterations across the main AD models generated so far. We then examine the clinical perspective of LTP/LTD studies and discuss the limitations of non-clinical models and how to improve their predictive validity in the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalila Mango
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Amira Saidi
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Giusy Ylenia Cisale
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Feligioni
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Robert Nisticò
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy.,School of Pharmacy, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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79
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Veening-Griffioen DH, Ferreira GS, van Meer PJK, Boon WPC, Gispen-de Wied CC, Moors EHM, Schellekens H. Are some animal models more equal than others? A case study on the translational value of animal models of efficacy for Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 859:172524. [PMID: 31291566 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Clinical trial failures (>99%) in Alzheimer's disease are in stark contrast to positive efficacy data in animals. We evaluated the correlation between animal and clinical efficacy outcomes (cognition) in Alzheimer's disease using data from registered drugs as well as interventions tested in phase II or III clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. We identified 20 interventions, which were tested in 208 animal studies in 63 different animal models. Clinical outcome was correlated with animal results in 58% of cases. But, individual animal models showed divergent results across interventions, individual interventions showed divergent results across animal models, and animal model outcomes were determined with 16 different methods. This result is unsurprising due to poor external validity (what do we model) of the animal models. Although the animal models all share Alzheimer's disease symptoms, none represents the whole syndrome. Investigators did not motivate why one model was chosen over another, and did not consider the ways the disease phenomena were generated (spontaneous, (experimentally) induced or by genetic modification), or the species characteristics, which determine the outcomes. The explanation for the lack of correlation between animal and human outcomes can be manifold: the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is not reflected in the animal model or the outcomes are not comparable. Our conclusion is that currently no animal models exist which are predictive for the efficacy of interventions for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Désirée H Veening-Griffioen
- Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Guilherme S Ferreira
- Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J K van Meer
- Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Medicines Evaluation Board, Graadt van Roggenweg 500, 3531 AH, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter P C Boon
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Innovation Studies, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ellen H M Moors
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Innovation Studies, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Huub Schellekens
- Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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80
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A 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of the AMPA modulator S47445 in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and depressive symptoms. ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA-TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2019; 5:231-240. [PMID: 31297437 PMCID: PMC6597919 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction S47445 is a novel positive allosteric modulator of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptors that may emerge as a favorable candidate for the symptomatic treatment of cognitive and depressive disorders in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) of mild to moderate severity and with depressive symptoms. Methods For this double-blind, placebo-controlled 24-week phase II trial, 520 outpatients aged between 55 and 85 years, with probable AD at mild to moderate stages (a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 24-15 inclusive) and exhibiting depressive symptoms (Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia [CSDD] ≥ 8) were recruited in twelve countries and randomized to 3 doses of S47445 (5-15-50 mg) or placebo. The primary end point was the change from baseline in the 11-item Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) total score at week 24. Secondary measures included the Disability Assessment for Dementia, Mini-Mental State Examination, ADAS-Cog 13-item, CSDD, Clinical Global Impression of Change (Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-CGIC), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and safety criteria. Results Baseline characteristics were comparable between the 4 groups. After 24 weeks, no statistically significant treatment difference was demonstrated between S47445 (5, 15 or 50 mg/d) and placebo on cognition (ADAS-Cog), function (Disability Assessment for Dementia), or depressive symptoms (CSDD). An improvement on neuropsychiatric symptoms assessed by NPI was evidenced at the lower dose 5 mg/d (Δ -2.55, P = .023, post hoc analysis) compared to placebo. CSDD and total NPI scores improved in all groups including placebo. There were no specific and/or unexpected safety signals observed with any of the S47445 doses. Discussion S47445 administered for 24 weeks was safe and well tolerated by patients with mild to moderate AD; the compound did not show significant benefits over placebo on cognition, function, or depressive symptoms.
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81
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Habtemariam S. Natural Products in Alzheimer's Disease Therapy: Would Old Therapeutic Approaches Fix the Broken Promise of Modern Medicines? Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24081519. [PMID: 30999702 PMCID: PMC6514598 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive progress in understanding the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) over the last 50 years, clinical trials based on the amyloid-beta (Aβ) hypothesis have kept failing in late stage human trials. As a result, just four old drugs of limited clinical outcomes and numerous side effects are currently used for AD therapy. This article assesses the common pharmacological targets and therapeutic principles for current and future drugs. It also underlines the merits of natural products acting through a polytherapeutic approach over a monotherapy option of AD therapy. Multi-targeting approaches through general antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms coupled with specific receptor and/or enzyme-mediated effects in neuroprotection, neuroregeneration, and other rational perspectives of novel drug discovery are emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories & Herbal Analysis Services UK, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham-Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK.
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