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Khan AF, Iturria-Medina Y. Beyond the usual suspects: multi-factorial computational models in the search for neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:386. [PMID: 39313512 PMCID: PMC11420368 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03073-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
From Alzheimer's disease to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the molecular cascades underlying neurodegenerative disorders remain poorly understood. The clinical view of neurodegeneration is confounded by symptomatic heterogeneity and mixed pathology in almost every patient. While the underlying physiological alterations originate, proliferate, and propagate potentially decades before symptomatic onset, the complexity and inaccessibility of the living brain limit direct observation over a patient's lifespan. Consequently, there is a critical need for robust computational methods to support the search for causal mechanisms of neurodegeneration by distinguishing pathogenic processes from consequential alterations, and inter-individual variability from intra-individual progression. Recently, promising advances have been made by data-driven spatiotemporal modeling of the brain, based on in vivo neuroimaging and biospecimen markers. These methods include disease progression models comparing the temporal evolution of various biomarkers, causal models linking interacting biological processes, network propagation models reproducing the spatial spreading of pathology, and biophysical models spanning cellular- to network-scale phenomena. In this review, we discuss various computational approaches for integrating cross-sectional, longitudinal, and multi-modal data, primarily from large observational neuroimaging studies, to understand (i) the temporal ordering of physiological alterations, i(i) their spatial relationships to the brain's molecular and cellular architecture, (iii) mechanistic interactions between biological processes, and (iv) the macroscopic effects of microscopic factors. We consider the extents to which computational models can evaluate mechanistic hypotheses, explore applications such as improving treatment selection, and discuss how model-informed insights can lay the groundwork for a pathobiological redefinition of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Faraz Khan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics & Mental Health, Montreal, Canada
| | - Yasser Iturria-Medina
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Canada.
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics & Mental Health, Montreal, Canada.
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2
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Padmakumar S, D'Souza A, Parayath NN, Bleier BS, Amiji MM. Nucleic acid therapies for CNS diseases: Pathophysiology, targets, barriers, and delivery strategies. J Control Release 2022; 352:121-145. [PMID: 36252748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.10.018] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid therapeutics have emerged as one of the very advanced and efficacious treatment approaches for debilitating health conditions, including those diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Precise targeting with an optimal control over gene regulation confers long-lasting benefits through the administration of nucleic acid payloads via viral, non-viral, and engineered vectors. The current review majorly focuses on the development and clinical translational potential of non-viral vectors for treating CNS diseases with a focus on their specific design and targeting approaches. These carriers must be able to surmount the various intracellular and extracellular barriers, to ensure successful neuronal transfection and ultimately attain higher therapeutic efficacies. Additionally, the specific challenges associated with CNS administration also include the presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB), the complex pathophysiological and biochemical changes associated with different disease conditions and the existence of non-dividing cells. The advantages offered by lipid-based or polymeric systems, engineered proteins, particle-based systems coupled with various approaches of neuronal targeting have been discussed in the context of a variety of CNS diseases. The possibilities of rapid yet highly efficient gene modifications rendered by the breakthrough methodologies for gene editing and gene manipulation have also opened vast avenues of research in neuroscience and CNS disease therapy. The current review also underscores the extensive scientific efforts to optimize specialized, efficacious yet non-invasive and safer administration approaches to overcome the therapeutic delivery challenges specifically posed by the CNS transport barriers and the overall obstacles to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smrithi Padmakumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anisha D'Souza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 20115, USA
| | - Neha N Parayath
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Benjamin S Bleier
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 20115, USA
| | - Mansoor M Amiji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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3
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Gulcan HO, Kosar M. The hybrid compounds as multi-target ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: Considerations on Donepezil. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 22:395-407. [PMID: 34766890 DOI: 10.2174/1568026621666211111153626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The strategies to combat Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have been changing with respect to the failures of many drug candidates assessed in clinical studies, the complex pathophysiology of AD, and the limitations of the current drugs employed. So far, none of the targets, either validated or nonvalidated, have been shown to be purely causative in the generation and development of AD. Considering the progressive and the neurodegenerative characteristics of the disease, the main strategy has been based on the design of molecules capable of showing activity on more than one receptor, and it is defined as multi-target ligand design strategy. The hybrid molecule concept is an outcome of this approach. Donepezil, as one of the currently employed drugs for AD therapy, has also been utilized in hybrid drug design studies. This review has aimed to present the promising donepezil-like hybrid molecules introduced in the recent period. Particularly, multi-target ligands with additional activities concomitant to cholinesterase inhibition are preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayrettin Ozan Gulcan
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, T.R. North Cyprus, via Mersin 10, Turkey
| | - Muberra Kosar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, T.R. North Cyprus, via Mersin 10, Turkey
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4
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Rezaee N, Fernando WB, Hone E, Sohrabi HR, Johnson SK, Gunzburg S, Martins RN. Potential of Sorghum Polyphenols to Prevent and Treat Alzheimer's Disease: A Review Article. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:729949. [PMID: 34690742 PMCID: PMC8527926 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.729949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and the build-up of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles containing hyperphosphorylated tau proteins. This leads to neuronal damage, cell death and consequently results in memory and learning impairments leading to dementia. Although the exact cause of AD is not yet clear, numerous studies indicate that oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction significantly contribute to its onset and progression. There is no effective therapeutic approach to stop the progression of AD and its associated symptoms. Thus, early intervention, preferably, pre-clinically when the brain is not significantly affected, is a better option for effective treatment. Natural polyphenols (PP) target multiple AD-related pathways such as protecting the brain from Aβ and tau neurotoxicity, ameliorating oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Among natural products, the cereal crop sorghum has some unique features. It is one of the major global grain crops but in the developed world, it is primarily used as feed for farm animals. A broad range of PP, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and condensed tannins are present in sorghum grain including some classes such as proanthocyanidins that are rarely found in others plants. Pigmented varieties of sorghum have the highest polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity which potentially makes their consumption beneficial for human health through different pathways such as oxidative stress reduction and thus the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes the potential of sorghum PP to beneficially affect the neuropathology of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Rezaee
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research & Care, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - W.M.A.D. Binosha Fernando
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research & Care, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Eugene Hone
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research & Care, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Hamid R. Sohrabi
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research & Care, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Future Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Stuart K. Johnson
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Ingredients by Design Pty Ltd., Lesmurdie, WA, Australia
| | | | - Ralph N. Martins
- Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research & Care, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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5
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Ryder MI, Xenoudi P. Alzheimer disease and the periodontal patient: New insights, connections, and therapies. Periodontol 2000 2021; 87:32-42. [PMID: 34463981 DOI: 10.1111/prd.12389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Loss of cognitive function in the aging population, particular those with Alzheimer disease, presents unique challenges to health practitioners. For the dental practitioner these include management of periodontal diseases, caries, and other dental conditions in this special population. It is well established in the cognitively impaired patient that a lack of adherence to dental hygiene routines and professional care leads to increases in the prevalence and severity of these dental conditions, leading to increased loss of teeth. More recent evidence has indicated a possible role of the microbiota of dental plaque associated with periodontal diseases in the development and progression of Alzheimer disease, thereby supporting a two-way interaction of these two diseases. New therapies are needed to address the potential upstream events that may precede overt signs of Alzheimer disease. One of these approaches would be to target these various bacterial, viral, and other microbial pathogens associated with periodontal disease that can translocate into the bloodstream and then to distal sites, such as the brain. Such microbial translocation would lead to local inflammation and buildup of the hallmark signs of Alzheimer disease, including amyloid beta deposits, tau fragmentation and tangles, breakdown of host protective molecules, such as the apolipoproteins, and neuron toxicity. In this review, evidence for the biological basis of the role of the periodontal disease microflora on the initiation and progression of Alzheimer disease will be presented with a focus on the potential role of the keystone pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis with its family of gingipain enzymes. The various mechanisms for which P. gingivalis gingipains may contribute to the initiation and progression of Alzheimer disease are presented. Small-molecule inhibitors of these gingipains and their effects on reducing biological markers of Alzheimer disease may have beneficial effects for the initiation and progression of loss of cognitive function in Alzheimer disease. In addition to these targeted therapies for specific periodontal pathogens, considerations for the dental practitioner in applying more general approaches to reducing the periodontal plaque microflora in the management of the cognitively impaired patient are discussed for this special population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark I Ryder
- Division of Periodontology, Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Pinelopi Xenoudi
- College of Dental Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, California, USA
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6
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Espay AJ, Sturchio A, Schneider LS, Ezzat K. Soluble Amyloid-β Consumption in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 82:1403-1415. [PMID: 34151810 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Brain proteins function in their soluble, native conformation and cease to function when transformed into insoluble aggregates, also known as amyloids. Biophysically, the soluble-to-insoluble phase transformation represents a process of polymerization, similar to crystallization, dependent on such extrinsic factors as concentration, pH, and a nucleation surface. The resulting cross-β conformation of the insoluble amyloid is markedly stable, making it an unlikely source of toxicity. The spread of brain amyloidosis can be fully explained by mechanisms of spontaneous or catalyzed polymerization and phase transformation instead of active replication, which is an enzyme- and energy-requiring process dependent on a specific nucleic acid code for the transfer of biological information with high fidelity. Early neuronal toxicity in Alzheimer's disease may therefore be mediated to a greater extent by a reduction in the pool of soluble, normal-functioning protein than its accumulation in the polymerized state. This alternative loss-of-function hypothesis of pathogenicity can be examined by assessing the clinical and neuroimaging effects of administering non-aggregating peptide analogs to replace soluble amyloid-β levels above the threshold below which neuronal toxicity may occur. Correcting the depletion of soluble amyloid-β, however, would only exemplify 'rescue medicine.' Precision medicine will necessitate identifying the pathogenic factors catalyzing the protein aggregation in each affected individual. Only then can we stratify patients for etiology-specific treatments and launch precision medicine for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto J Espay
- James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrea Sturchio
- James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Neuro Svenningsson, Karolinska Institute, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lon S Schneider
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kariem Ezzat
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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7
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Alves SS, Silva-Junior RMPD, Servilha-Menezes G, Homolak J, Šalković-Petrišić M, Garcia-Cairasco N. Insulin Resistance as a Common Link Between Current Alzheimer's Disease Hypotheses. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 82:71-105. [PMID: 34024838 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Almost 115 years ago, Alois Alzheimer described Alzheimer's disease (AD) for the first time. Since then, many hypotheses have been proposed. However, AD remains a severe health public problem. The current medical approaches for AD are limited to symptomatic interventions and the complexity of this disease has led to a failure rate of approximately 99.6%in AD clinical trials. In fact, no new drug has been approved for AD treatment since 2003. These failures indicate that we are failing in mimicking this disease in experimental models. Although most studies have focused on the amyloid cascade hypothesis of AD, the literature has made clear that AD is rather a multifactorial disorder. Therefore, the persistence in a single theory has resulted in lost opportunities. In this review, we aim to present the striking points of the long scientific path followed since the description of the first AD case and the main AD hypotheses discussed over the last decades. We also propose insulin resistance as a common link between many other hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suélen Santos Alves
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui Milton Patrício da Silva-Junior
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School -University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Servilha-Menezes
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jan Homolak
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.,Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Melita Šalković-Petrišić
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.,Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Norberto Garcia-Cairasco
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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8
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Barthelson K, Pederson SM, Newman M, Jiang H, Lardelli M. In-Frame and Frameshift Mutations in Zebrafish Presenilin 2 Affect Different Cellular Functions in Young Adult Brains. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2021; 5:395-404. [PMID: 34189411 PMCID: PMC8203281 DOI: 10.3233/adr-200279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in PRESENILIN 2 (PSEN2) cause early onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EOfAD) but their mode of action remains elusive. One consistent observation for all PRESENILIN gene mutations causing EOfAD is that a transcript is produced with a reading frame terminated by the normal stop codon-the "reading frame preservation rule". Mutations that do not obey this rule do not cause the disease. The reasons for this are debated. OBJECTIVE To predict cellular functions affected by heterozygosity for a frameshift, or a reading frame-preserving mutation in zebrafish psen2 using bioinformatic techniques. METHODS A frameshift mutation (psen2 N140fs ) and a reading frame-preserving (in-frame) mutation (psen2 T141 _ L142delinsMISLISV ) were previously isolated during genome editing directed at the N140 codon of zebrafish psen2 (equivalent to N141 of human PSEN2). We mated a pair of fish heterozygous for each mutation to generate a family of siblings including wild type and heterozygous mutant genotypes. Transcriptomes from young adult (6 months) brains of these genotypes were analyzed. RESULTS The in-frame mutation uniquely caused subtle, but statistically significant, changes to expression of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, long-term potentiation and the cell cycle. The frameshift mutation uniquely affected genes involved in Notch and MAPK signaling, extracellular matrix receptor interactions and focal adhesion. Both mutations affected ribosomal protein gene expression but in opposite directions. CONCLUSION A frameshift and an in-frame mutation at the same position in zebrafish psen2 cause discrete effects. Changes in oxidative phosphorylation, long-term potentiation and the cell cycle may promote EOfAD pathogenesis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karissa Barthelson
- Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Stephen Martin Pederson
- Bioinformatics Hub, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Morgan Newman
- Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Haowei Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Michael Lardelli
- Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Srivastava S, Ahmad R, Khare SK. Alzheimer's disease and its treatment by different approaches: A review. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 216:113320. [PMID: 33652356 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that impairs mental ability development and interrupts neurocognitive function. This neuropathological condition is depicted by neurodegeneration, neural loss, and development of neurofibrillary tangles and Aβ plaques. There is also a greater risk of developing AD at a later age for people with cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes. In the biomedical sciences, effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease is a severe obstacle. There is no such treatment to cure Alzheimer's disease. The drug present in the market show only symptomatic relief. The cause of Alzheimer's disease is not fully understood and the blood-brain barrier restricts drug efficacy are two main factors that hamper research. Stem cell-based therapy has been seen as an effective, secure, and creative therapeutic solution to overcoming AD because of AD's multifactorial nature and inadequate care. Current developments in nanotechnology often offer possibilities for the delivery of active drug candidates to address certain limitations. The key nanoformulations being tested against AD include polymeric nanoparticles (NP), inorganic NPs and lipid-based NPs. Nano drug delivery systems are promising vehicles for targeting several therapeutic moieties by easing drug molecules' penetration across the CNS and improving their bioavailability. In this review, we focus on the causes of the AD and their treatment by different approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukriti Srivastava
- Enzyme and Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Razi Ahmad
- Enzyme and Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Sunil Kumar Khare
- Enzyme and Microbial Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India.
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10
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Ohashi Y. Class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complex I subunit NRBF2/Atg38 - from cell and structural biology to health and disease. Autophagy 2021; 17:3897-3907. [PMID: 33459128 PMCID: PMC8726667 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2021.1872240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy is triggered by various starvation and stress conditions. The phospholipid phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) is essential for the formation of the autophagosome both in yeast and mammals. The class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, PIK3C3C in humans or Vps34 in yeast, produces PtdIns3P by phosphorylating the 3'-OH position of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns). In order to synthesize PtdIns3P for the initiation of autophagy, PIK3C3/Vps34 has a heterotetrameric core, the PIK3C3 complex I (hereafter complex I) composed of PIK3C3/Vps34, PIK3R4/Vps15, BECN1/Vps30, and ATG14/Atg14. A fifth component of complex I, NRBF2 in mammals and Atg38 in yeast, was found and has been characterized in the past decade. The field has been expanding from cell and structural biology to mouse model and cohort studies. Here I will summarize the structures and models of complex I binding NRBF2/Atg38, its intracellular roles, and its involvement in health and disease. Along with this expansion of the field, different conclusions have been drawn in several topics. I will clarify what has and has not been agreed, and what is to be clarified in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Ohashi
- Division of Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
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11
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β-amyloid and tau drive early Alzheimer's disease decline while glucose hypometabolism drives late decline. Commun Biol 2020; 3:352. [PMID: 32632135 PMCID: PMC7338410 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-1079-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials focusing on therapeutic candidates that modify β-amyloid (Aβ) have repeatedly failed to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD), suggesting that Aβ may not be the optimal target for treating AD. The evaluation of Aβ, tau, and neurodegenerative (A/T/N) biomarkers has been proposed for classifying AD. However, it remains unclear whether disturbances in each arm of the A/T/N framework contribute equally throughout the progression of AD. Here, using the random forest machine learning method to analyze participants in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative dataset, we show that A/T/N biomarkers show varying importance in predicting AD development, with elevated biomarkers of Aβ and tau better predicting early dementia status, and biomarkers of neurodegeneration, especially glucose hypometabolism, better predicting later dementia status. Our results suggest that AD treatments may also need to be disease stage-oriented with Aβ and tau as targets in early AD and glucose metabolism as a target in later AD. Here the authors analyze the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative dataset using random forest machine learning methods and determine that Aβ and tau biomarkers are better predictors of early dementia status, while glucose hypometabolism is a better predictor of later dementia status. These results suggest the need for stage-oriented Alzheimer’s disease treatments.
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12
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Husna Ibrahim N, Yahaya MF, Mohamed W, Teoh SL, Hui CK, Kumar J. Pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's Disease: Seeking Clarity in a Time of Uncertainty. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:261. [PMID: 32265696 PMCID: PMC7105678 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is recognized as a major health hazard that mostly affects people older than 60 years. AD is one of the biggest medical, economic, and social concerns to patients and their caregivers. AD was ranked as the 5th leading cause of global deaths in 2016 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Many drugs targeting the production, aggregation, and clearance of Aβ plaques failed to give any conclusive clinical outcomes. This mainly stems from the fact that AD is not a disease attributed to a single-gene mutation. Two hallmarks of AD, Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), can simultaneously induce other AD etiologies where every pathway is a loop of consequential events. Therefore, the focus of recent AD research has shifted to exploring other etiologies, such as neuroinflammation and central hyperexcitability. Neuroinflammation results from the hyperactivation of microglia and astrocytes that release pro-inflammatory cytokines due to the neurological insults caused by Aβ plaques and NFTs, eventually leading to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death. This review will report the failures and side effects of many anti-Aβ drugs. In addition, emerging treatments targeting neuroinflammation in AD, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), that restore calcium dyshomeostasis and microglia physiological function in clearing Aβ plaques, respectively, will be deliberately discussed. Other novel pharmacotherapy strategies in treating AD, including disease-modifying agents (DMTs), repurposing of medications used to treat non-AD illnesses, and multi target-directed ligands (MTDLs) are also reviewed. These approaches open new doors to the development of AD therapy, especially combination therapy that can cater for several targets simultaneously, hence effectively slowing or stopping AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurul Husna Ibrahim
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Fairuz Yahaya
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wael Mohamed
- Basic Medical Science Department, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Seong Lin Teoh
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chua Kien Hui
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Glycofood Sdn Bhd, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jaya Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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13
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Development of disease-modifying drugs for frontotemporal dementia spectrum disorders. Nat Rev Neurol 2020; 16:213-228. [PMID: 32203398 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-020-0330-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses a spectrum of clinical syndromes characterized by progressive executive, behavioural and language dysfunction. The various FTD spectrum disorders are associated with brain accumulation of different proteins: tau, the transactive response DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP43), or fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein, Ewing sarcoma protein and TATA-binding protein-associated factor 15 (TAF15) (collectively known as FET proteins). Approximately 60% of patients with FTD have autosomal dominant mutations in C9orf72, GRN or MAPT genes. Currently available treatments are symptomatic and provide limited benefit. However, the increased understanding of FTD pathogenesis is driving the development of potential disease-modifying therapies. Most of these drugs target pathological tau - this category includes tau phosphorylation inhibitors, tau aggregation inhibitors, active and passive anti-tau immunotherapies, and MAPT-targeted antisense oligonucleotides. Some of these therapeutic approaches are being tested in phase II clinical trials. Pharmacological approaches that target the effects of GRN and C9orf72 mutations are also in development. Key results of large clinical trials will be available in a few years. However, clinical trials in FTD pose several challenges, and the development of specific brain imaging and molecular biomarkers could facilitate the recruitment of clinically homogenous groups to improve the chances of positive clinical trial results.
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Gautier L. Welcome to the 10th volume of Neurodegenerative Disease Management. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2020; 10:1-4. [PMID: 32027554 DOI: 10.2217/nmt-2019-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Louis Gautier
- Future Science Group, Unitec House, 2 Albert Place, London, N3 1QB, UK
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Cogliati S, Clementi V, Francisco M, Crespo C, Argañaraz F, Grau R. Bacillus Subtilis Delays Neurodegeneration and Behavioral Impairment in the Alzheimer’s Disease Model Caenorhabditis Elegans. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 73:1035-1052. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-190837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Cogliati
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET – Rosario, Argentina
| | - Victoria Clementi
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET – Rosario, Argentina
| | - Marcos Francisco
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET – Rosario, Argentina
| | - Cira Crespo
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET – Rosario, Argentina
| | - Federico Argañaraz
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET – Rosario, Argentina
| | - Roberto Grau
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET – Rosario, Argentina
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Hoffman JD, Yanckello LM, Chlipala G, Hammond TC, McCulloch SD, Parikh I, Sun S, Morganti JM, Green SJ, Lin AL. Dietary inulin alters the gut microbiome, enhances systemic metabolism and reduces neuroinflammation in an APOE4 mouse model. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221828. [PMID: 31461505 PMCID: PMC6713395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The apolipoprotein ε4 allele (APOE4) is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). APOE4 carriers develop systemic metabolic dysfunction decades before showing AD symptoms. Accumulating evidence shows that the metabolic dysfunction accelerates AD development, including exacerbated amyloid-beta (Aβ) retention, neuroinflammation and cognitive decline. Therefore, preserving metabolic function early on may be critical to reducing the risk for AD. Here, we show that inulin increases beneficial microbiota and decreases harmful microbiota in the feces of young, asymptomatic APOE4 transgenic (E4FAD) mice and enhances metabolism in the cecum, periphery and brain, as demonstrated by increases in the levels of SCFAs, tryptophan-derived metabolites, bile acids, glycolytic metabolites and scyllo-inositol. We show that inulin also reduces inflammatory gene expression in the hippocampus. This knowledge can be utilized to design early precision nutrition intervention strategies that use a prebiotic diet to enhance systemic metabolism and may be useful for reducing AD risk in asymptomatic APOE4 carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared D. Hoffman
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Lucille M. Yanckello
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - George Chlipala
- Research Resources Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Tyler C. Hammond
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | | | - Ishita Parikh
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Sydney Sun
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Josh M. Morganti
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Stefan J. Green
- Research Resources Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Ai-Ling Lin
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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