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.
Export Options
About this article
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 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Jatrorrhizine Protects Against Okadaic Acid Induced Oxidative Toxicity Through Inhibiting the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Pathways in HT22 Hippocampal Neurons
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Complex: One, Two or Multiple Drug Targets?
Current Drug Targets Neurodevelopment in Schizophrenia: The Role of the Wnt Pathways
Current Neuropharmacology The Effects of Weightlessness on the Human Organism and Mammalian Cells
Current Molecular Medicine MICA Molecules in Disease and Transplantation, a Double-Edged Sword?
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Discovering New Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease by Repurposing Approved Medications
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of IGF-1 Receptor and Insulin Receptor Signaling for the Pathogenesis of Alzheimers Disease: From Model Organisms to Human Disease
Current Alzheimer Research PC12 Interaction with Magnetic Nanotubes: Effects on Viability, Cell Differentiation and Cell Translocation Induced by a Magnetic Field
Current Nanoscience Non-Analgesic Effects of Opioids: Neuroprotection in the Retina
Current Pharmaceutical Design β-Lactone Derivatives and Their Anticancer Activities: A Short Review
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Epigenetic Regulators Governing Cancer Stem Cells and Epithelial- Mesenchymal Transition in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Mutations of Chromatin Structure Regulating Genes in Human Malignancies
Current Protein & Peptide Science Animal Models for Parkinson's Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets p73 as a Pharmaceutical Target for Cancer Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mitochondria-Targeting Therapeutic Strategies for Overcoming Chemoresistance and Progression of Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry Insulin Resistance and Alzheimers Disease: Molecular Links & Clinical Implications
Current Alzheimer Research Elucidation of Abnormal Extracellular Regulated Kinase (ERK) Signaling and Associations with Syndromic and Non-syndromic Autism
Current Drug Targets Promising Targets in Anti-cancer Drug Development: Recent Updates
Current Medicinal Chemistry Decoding the Inter-Relationship between Sleep Disorders and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Importance of Wnt Signaling in the Tumor Stroma Microenvironment
Current Cancer Drug Targets