Therapeutics of Neurotransmitters in Alzheimer’s Disease

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Kandimalla, Ramesh^{a; b; *} | Reddy, P. Hemachandra^{a; b; c; d; e; *}

Affiliations: [a] Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA | [b] Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA | [c] Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA | [d] Departments of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA | [e] Garrison Institute on Aging, South West Campus, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Ramesh Kandimalla, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Garrison Institute on Aging and Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street/MS/9424/4A 124, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA. E-mail: ramesh.kandimalla@ttuhsc.edu and P. Hemachandra Reddy, PhD, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Mildred and Shirley L. Garrison Chair in Aging, Professor of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Departments of Neuroscience/Pharmacology and Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, MS/9424/4A 124, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA. Tel.: +1 806 743 2385; Fax: +1 806 743 3636; E-mail: hemachandra.reddy@ttuhsc.edu.

Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the loss of memory, multiple cognitive impairments and changes in the personality and behavior. Several decades of intense research have revealed that multiple cellular changes are involved in disease process, including synaptic damage, mitochondrial abnormalities and inflammatory responses, in addition to formation and accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau. Although tremendous progress has been made in understanding the impact of neurotransmitters in the progression and pathogenesis of AD, we still do not have a drug molecule associated with neurotransmitter(s) that can delay disease process in elderly individuals and/or restore cognitive functions in AD patients. The purpose of our article is to assess the latest developments in neurotransmitters research using cell and mouse models of AD. We also updated the current status of clinical trials using neurotransmitters’ agonists/antagonists in AD.

Keywords: Acetylcholine inhibitors, adenosine receptors, Alzheimer’s disease, histaminergic, N-methyl-D-aspartate, neurotransmitters

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-161118

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 1049-1069, 2017