Antioxidants as a potential therapy against age-related neurodegenerative diseases: amyloid Beta toxicity and Alzheimer's disease

Curr Pharm Des. 2006;12(6):699-704. doi: 10.2174/138161206775474297.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder with distinct neuropathological features. Extracellular plaques, consisting of aggregated amyloid peptides of 39-43 amino acids are one of the most prominent pathological hallmarks of this disease. Although the exact neurochemical effector mechanism of Abeta aggregation is not yet elucidated, age-associated disturbances of metal ion metabolism have been proposed to promote the formation of aggregates from soluble Abeta. Oxidative stress is postulated to be a downstream effect of Abeta-metal ion interactions. Therefore, the modulation of brain metal metabolism and attenuation of oxidative stress by antioxidant molecules are proposed as a potential therapeutic intervention in AD. Here, we summarize the recent literature focused on APP/Abeta-metal ion interactions and the use of antioxidant metal chelators as potential therapy against AD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / physiopathology

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Antioxidants