Wang P, Wang F, Ni L, Wu P, Chen J. Targeting redox-altered plasticity to reactivate synaptic function: A novel therapeutic strategy for cognitive disorder.
Acta Pharm Sin B 2021;
11:599-608. [PMID:
33777670 DOI:
10.1016/j.apsb.2020.11.012]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Redox-altered plasticity refers to redox-dependent reversible changes in synaptic plasticity via altering functions of key proteins, such as N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Age-related cognitive disorders includes Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD), and age-associated memory impairment (AAMI). Based on the critical role of NMDAR-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) in memory, the increase of reactive oxygen species in cognitive disorders, and the sensitivity of NMDAR to the redox status, converging lines have suggested the redox-altered NMDAR-dependent plasticity might underlie the synaptic dysfunctions associated with cognitive disorders. In this review, we summarize the involvement of redox-altered plasticity in cognitive disorders by presenting the available evidence. According to reports from our laboratory and other groups, this "redox-altered plasticity" is more similar to functional changes rather than organic injuries, and strategies targeting redox-altered plasticity using pharmacological agents might reverse synaptic dysfunctions and memory abnormalities in the early stage of cognitive disorders. Targeting redox modifications for NMDARs may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for memory deficits.
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