Neuroregeneration versus neurodegeneration: toward a paradigm shift in Alzheimer's disease drug discovery

Future Med Chem. 2017 Jun;9(10):995-1013. doi: 10.4155/fmc-2017-0038. Epub 2017 Jun 20.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease represents an enormous global burden in terms of human suffering and economic cost. To tackle the current lack of effective drugs and the continuous clinical trial failures might require a shift from the prevailing paradigm targeting pathogenesis to the one targeting neural stem cells (NSCs) regeneration. In this context, small molecules have come to the forefront for their potential to manipulate NSCs, provide therapeutic tools and unveil NSCs biology. Classically, these molecules have been generated either by target-based or phenotypic approaches. To circumvent specific liabilities, nanomedicines emerge as a feasible alternative. However, this review is not intended to be comprehensive. Its purpose is to focus on recent examples that could accelerate development of neuroregenerative drugs against Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; neural stem cells; neuroregeneration; neuroregenerative drug discovery; neuroregenerative nanoparticles; neuroregenerative small molecules.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nerve Regeneration / drug effects
  • Neuroprotective Agents / chemistry
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents