Abstract
Macroautophagy is an evolutionarily conserved lysosomal-dependent pathway of degradation of several cytoplasmic components, such as misfolded proteins or damaged organelles. This process of cellular self-digestion is involved in a number of physiological processes like survival, differentiation and development. The failure in the normal flow of the autophagic process has been associated with normal brain aging and with late-onset neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimers, Parkinsons and Huntingtons diseases. A common characteristic between these disorders is the accumulation of protein deposits composed by aberrant protein aggregates. Also dysfunctional organelles, particularly mitochondria, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. Here we give an overview of the importance of autophagy in brain aging and in age-related neurodegeneration. Furthermore, we will discuss autophagy as a potential therapeutic target to mitigate the adverse effects of aging and age-related diseases on brain function.
Keywords: Aging brain, Alzheimer's disease, autophagy, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, therapeutics
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Targeting Autophagy in the Brain: A Promising Approach?
Volume: 10 Issue: 2
Author(s): R.X. Santos, S. Cardoso, S. Correia, C. Carvalho, M.S. Santos and P.I. Moreira
Affiliation:
Keywords: Aging brain, Alzheimer's disease, autophagy, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, therapeutics
Abstract: Macroautophagy is an evolutionarily conserved lysosomal-dependent pathway of degradation of several cytoplasmic components, such as misfolded proteins or damaged organelles. This process of cellular self-digestion is involved in a number of physiological processes like survival, differentiation and development. The failure in the normal flow of the autophagic process has been associated with normal brain aging and with late-onset neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimers, Parkinsons and Huntingtons diseases. A common characteristic between these disorders is the accumulation of protein deposits composed by aberrant protein aggregates. Also dysfunctional organelles, particularly mitochondria, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. Here we give an overview of the importance of autophagy in brain aging and in age-related neurodegeneration. Furthermore, we will discuss autophagy as a potential therapeutic target to mitigate the adverse effects of aging and age-related diseases on brain function.
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Cite this article as:
Santos R.X., Cardoso S., Correia S., Carvalho C., Santos M.S. and Moreira P.I., Targeting Autophagy in the Brain: A Promising Approach?, Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2010; 10 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152410791196350
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152410791196350 |
Print ISSN 1871-5249 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6166 |
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