Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is considered one of the most common causes of dementia worldwide, accounting for about 80 % of all dementia cases. AD is manifested by the extraneuronal deposition of senile plaques of amyloid beta (Aβ) and intraneuronal accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles of phosphorylated tau. The impaired proteostasis of these filamentous Aβ and tau is significantly regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS-induced oxidative stress (OS) is the cardinal cause behind neuroinflammation-triggered neurodegeneration during AD. Besides ROS-induced neuro-inflammation, AD is also associated with cerebrovascular dysfunction, where platelet primarily plays a significant role in blood-vessel integrity and tissue repair. Though platelets are the circulatory cell fragments that play predominant roles in thrombosis and hemostasis, their contributions to other physiological functions are also being elucidated. Surprisingly, platelets contribute about 90 % of the circulatory Aβ and share striking similarities with neurons in several aspects, including different neurotransmitters and their cognate receptors, thus considering platelets as potential peripheral models for AD. Interestingly, platelet structural and functional dysfunctions are evident in AD, where ROS production is associated with platelet hyperactivity. Although activated platelet carries several vital enzymes and immunomodulatory molecules, which can potentially exacerbate OS-mediated neuronal damage, and neurodegeneration, their mechanism of action and mode of progression, are still obscure. Therefore, in this review, we have described the detailed role of OS and platelet in AD, addressing the therapeutic approach and molecular mechanism of platelet-mediated ROS generation as a contributing factor in aggravating the disease.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Amyloid beta; Blood platelet; Oxidative stress; Phosphorylated tau; Reactive oxygen species.
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