A Snapshot on the Current Status of Alzheimer's Disease, Treatment Perspectives, in-Vitro and in-Vivo Research Studies and Future Opportunities

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2019 Oct 1;67(10):1030-1041. doi: 10.1248/cpb.c19-00511. Epub 2019 Jul 24.

Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is one of the most challenging diseases faced by humankind. AD is still not classified as curable because of the complex structure of pathologies underlying it. As the mean life expectancy of the world population constantly increases, the prevalence of AD and treatment costs for AD also grow rapidly. Current state of the art for AD treatment mainly consists of palliative therapy aimed at providing symptomatic relief and improving the standard of living in patients with AD. However, different research groups are working on more effective and safe drug delivery options aimed at both symptomatic relief and treatment of the underlying mechanisms. In this review, the current prevalence of AD, health costs, pathologies, and available treatment options including the ones in the market and/or under trial have been reviewed. Data in the existing literature have been presented, and future opportunities have been discussed. It is our belief that these nanotechnological products provide the required efficacy and safety profiles to enable these formulations go through phase studies and enter the market after regulatory authority approval, as with cancer. Last, but not the least the metabolomic studies will be providing useful informative data on the early diagnosis of AD, thus may be clinical implications might be delayed with the administration of therapeutic agents at the initial state of the disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; amyloid-β peptide; cell culture; metabolomics; neurodegeneration; tau.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Biomedical Research
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Nanotechnology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents