Pereira M, Cruz MT, Fortuna A, Bicker J. Restoring the epigenome in Alzheimer's disease: advancing HDAC inhibitors as therapeutic agents.
Drug Discov Today 2024;
29:104052. [PMID:
38830501 DOI:
10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104052]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Current treatment options for Alzheimer's disease (AD) focus on symptom relief rather than halting disease progression. In this context, targeting histone deacetylation emerges as a promising therapeutic alternative. Dysregulation of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is present in AD, contributing to cognitive decline. Pharmacological HDAC inhibition has shown benefits in preclinical models, namely reduced amyloid beta plaque formation, lower phosphorylation and aggregation of tau protein, greater microtubule stability, less neuroinflammation, and improved metabolic homeostasis and cell survival. Nonetheless, clinical trials evidenced limitations such as insufficient selectivity or blood-brain barrier penetration. Hence, future innovative strategies are required to enhance their efficacy/safety.
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