Development of Multifunctional Molecules as Potential Therapeutic Candidates for Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the Last Decade

Chem Rev. 2019 Jan 23;119(2):1221-1322. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00138. Epub 2018 Aug 10.

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a substantial socioeconomic burden on society. Unfortunately, the aging world population and lack of effective cures foreshadow a negative outlook. Although a large amount of research has been dedicated to elucidating the pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases, their principal causes remain elusive. Metal ion dyshomeostasis, proteopathy, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter deficiencies are pathological features shared across multiple neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, these factors are proposed to be interrelated upon disease progression. Thus, the development of multifunctional compounds capable of simultaneously interacting with several pathological components has been suggested as a solution to undertake the complex pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we outline and discuss possible therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and molecules, previously designed or discovered as potential drug candidates for these disorders with emphasis on multifunctionality. In addition, underrepresented areas of research are discussed to indicate new directions.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / pathology
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Metals / chemistry
  • Metals / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology
  • Prodrugs / chemistry
  • Prodrugs / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Metals
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Prodrugs