Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Novel therapeutic strategies provide the real test for the amyloid hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease

2002; Elsevier BV; Volume: 23; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0165-6147(02)02038-2

1873-3735

Diana Dominguez, Bart De Strooper,

Cholinesterase and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract The amyloid and tangle cascade hypothesis is the dominant explanation for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A complete knowledge of the metabolic pathways leading to β-amyloid (Aβ) production and clearance in vivo and of the pathological events that lead to fibril formation and deposition into plaques is crucial for the development of an 'anti-amyloid' therapeutic strategy. Important advances in this respect have been achieved recently, revealing new candidate drug targets. Among the most promising potential treatments are β- and γ-secretase inhibitors, Aβ vaccination, Cu–Zn chelators, cholesterol-lowering drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Now, the major question is whether these drugs will work in the clinic.