Authors: Huber, Anke; Stuchbury, Grant; Burkle, Alexander; Burnell, Jim; Munch, Gerald

Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design, Volume 12, Number 6, February 2006 , pp. 705-717(13)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

One of the major age-related damaging agents are reactive oxygen species (ROS). The brain is more vulnerable to oxidative stress than other organs as concomitant low activity and capacity of antioxidative protection systems allow for increased exposure of target molecules to ROS. Since neurons are postmitotic cells, they have to live with cellular damage accumulated over many decades. Increased levels of ROS (also termed "oxidative stress"), produced by normal mitochondrial activity, inflammation and excess glutamate levels, are proposed to accelerate neurodegenerative processes characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. This review presents evidence of the importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of these diseases and explains the nature of different types of ROS mediating neuronal damage. Furthermore, the potential beneficial effects of neuroprotective treatments, including antioxidants and anti - glutamatergic drugs are discussed.

Keywords: Oxidative stress; Alzheimer's disease; neuroprotection; antioxidants; NMDA receptor antagonists

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206775474251

Affiliations: 1: Comparative Genomics Centre, Molecular Sciences Building 21, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia.

Publication date: 2006-02-01

More about this publication?

• Current Pharmaceutical Design publishes timely in-depth reviews covering all aspects of current research in rational drug design. Each issue is devoted to a single major therapeutic area. A Guest Editor who is an acknowledged authority in a therapeutic field has solicits for each issue comprehensive and timely reviews from leading researchers in the pharmaceutical industry and academia.
  
  Each thematic issue of Current Pharmaceutical Design covers all subject areas of major importance to modern drug design, including: medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, drug targets and disease mechanism.

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