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EDITORIAL article

Front. Neurosci., 08 July 2024
Sec. Translational Neuroscience
This article is part of the Research Topic Current Therapeutic Approaches in Alzheimer's Disease: The Use of a Second Drug with Anti-Amyloid-Beta and Beyond View all 7 articles

Editorial: Current therapeutic approaches in Alzheimer's disease: the use of a second drug with anti-amyloid-beta and beyond

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, United States
  • 2Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
  • 3Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima, Mexico

In the continuous fight against Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementia (ADRD)—a formidable neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions globally—the exploration of innovative therapies is increasingly becoming multi-dimensional and dynamic. This editorial highlight the progressive strides made under the Research Topic “Current therapeutic approaches in Alzheimer's disease: the use of a second drug with anti-amyloid-beta and beyond,” where recent studies and reviews are pioneering beyond conventional treatment frameworks.

Among the outstanding contributions, the study led by Paul Territo's team is particularly notable, marking a substantial advancement in our molecular understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Utilizing the 5XFAD mouse model, their research published in Burton et al., delivers crucial insights into how Levetiracetam modified the metabolic networks and transcriptomic signatures within the brain. This revelation not only enriches our comprehension of the altered biochemical landscapes in Alzheimer's but also paves the way for potential early-stage metabolic interventions, as well as drug repurposing.

Expanding the boundaries of current research, Barrett et al. presented their compelling RNA-Seq analysis findings that encompass multiple species, including humans. Their focus on the GLP-1R receptor, traditionally targeted in obesity and diabetes treatments, underscores its potential viability as a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease. This cross-disciplinary investigation exemplifies the translational essence of modern biomedical research, illustrating how existing therapies can be repurposed to offer new hope in combatting AD.

In the arena of systematic reviews, Li et al., have meticulously evaluated the efficacy and safety of anti-amyloid-beta agents. Their critical assessment of these agents' and their potential to delay cognitive decline offers an incisive perspective on the current therapeutic landscape. Furthermore, Doran and Sawyer, through their mini-review, delve into the risk factors associated with amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), providing a detailed analysis essential for refining patient management strategies.

Adding to the innovative discourse, Yu et al. recent publication discusses how P-hydroxybenzaldehyde might protect against oxidative stress and β-amyloid toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans, introducing potential novel antioxidant strategies in Alzheimer's disease therapy.

Finally, the review article by Loeffler on ABE transporters significantly attempted to further our understanding of amyloid-beta clearance mechanisms in the brain. These insights are vital for developing therapies aimed at enhancing the brain's inherent capability to clear amyloid, offering a supplementary route to direct pharmacological interventions (Loeffler).

These collective works not only mirror the rich diversity of ongoing Alzheimer's research but also signify a paradigm shift toward integrating genetic, molecular, and clinical insights. As we navigate the complexities of Alzheimer's disease, this holistic and innovative approach will undoubtedly be our strongest ally in forging effective treatments. This thematic collection on Alzheimer's treatment strategies showcases a firm commitment to innovation—a beacon of hope for the millions impacted by this relentless condition. The journey ahead is definitively paved with diversity in thought and unity in purpose, guiding us toward a future where Alzheimer's disease no longer steals the essence of our loved ones.

Author contributions

JS: Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. HH: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. OG-P: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.

Funding

The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, beta amyloid, monoclonal antibody, Levetiracetam, GLP-1, ABC transporter

Citation: Shim JW, Hyacinth HI and Gonzalez-Perez O (2024) Editorial: Current therapeutic approaches in Alzheimer's disease: the use of a second drug with anti-amyloid-beta and beyond. Front. Neurosci. 18:1449365. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1449365

Received: 14 June 2024; Accepted: 25 June 2024;
Published: 08 July 2024.

Edited and reviewed by: Guo-Yuan Yang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

Copyright © 2024 Shim, Hyacinth and Gonzalez-Perez. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Joon W. Shim, shim@marshall.edu

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.