Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, known to be the main cause of dementia in elderly populations. Several factors such as intracellular formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and neuropil threads (NTs) resulting from abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, the aggregation and extracellular deposition of amyloid beta (Aß) protein, metal-ion dysregulation which is known to effect the Aß peptide - trigging its aggregation and increasing toxicity, and reduction of acetylcholine (ACh) levels in the brain are responsible for the onset and progression of AD. Clinical trials achieved based on the single-target approach have not been successful, indicating that treatment of AD needs multi-targeting agents.
Despite the tremendous efforts and financial expenditures aimed at finding an efficient treatment for AD, no definitive cure has been found so far. As AD is a multi-factorial disease, single-targeted drugs usually do not work effectively. As a result, design and development of synthetic compounds or natural products possessing multi-target anti-AD activity are in high demand. Recently, a wide range of in vitro and in vivo tests against amyloid beta (ßA) and tau protein aggregation have been reported in the literature. Aducanumab, an amyloid beta-directed monoclonal antibody, has been recently approved by FDA. Additionally, inhibition of beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) and cholinesterases (ChEs), as well as development of biometals chelators and inflammatory drugs have been found to be important in the treatment of AD.
Authors who are working on the development of anti-AD compounds or agents, are encouraged to submit their valuable works to Frontiers in Chemistry for this Research Topic “Advances in Drug Discovery for Anti-Alzheimer's Agents.” This collection focuses on the synthetic compounds which have shown desirable anti-AD activity, particularly targeting multi-target mechanisms. Submissions on natural products, which possibly play important roles in onset and progression of AD due to the presence of a wide range phytochemical compounds are also acceptable.
Please note that all computational studies must demonstrate a clear use in medicinal chemistry through comparison with experimental data.
Topic Editor Lhassane Ismaïli holds 2 patents in the field of the design and synthesis of MTDL for Alzheimer's disease. The other Editors declare no competing interests.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, known to be the main cause of dementia in elderly populations. Several factors such as intracellular formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and neuropil threads (NTs) resulting from abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, the aggregation and extracellular deposition of amyloid beta (Aß) protein, metal-ion dysregulation which is known to effect the Aß peptide - trigging its aggregation and increasing toxicity, and reduction of acetylcholine (ACh) levels in the brain are responsible for the onset and progression of AD. Clinical trials achieved based on the single-target approach have not been successful, indicating that treatment of AD needs multi-targeting agents.
Despite the tremendous efforts and financial expenditures aimed at finding an efficient treatment for AD, no definitive cure has been found so far. As AD is a multi-factorial disease, single-targeted drugs usually do not work effectively. As a result, design and development of synthetic compounds or natural products possessing multi-target anti-AD activity are in high demand. Recently, a wide range of in vitro and in vivo tests against amyloid beta (ßA) and tau protein aggregation have been reported in the literature. Aducanumab, an amyloid beta-directed monoclonal antibody, has been recently approved by FDA. Additionally, inhibition of beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) and cholinesterases (ChEs), as well as development of biometals chelators and inflammatory drugs have been found to be important in the treatment of AD.
Authors who are working on the development of anti-AD compounds or agents, are encouraged to submit their valuable works to Frontiers in Chemistry for this Research Topic “Advances in Drug Discovery for Anti-Alzheimer's Agents.” This collection focuses on the synthetic compounds which have shown desirable anti-AD activity, particularly targeting multi-target mechanisms. Submissions on natural products, which possibly play important roles in onset and progression of AD due to the presence of a wide range phytochemical compounds are also acceptable.
Please note that all computational studies must demonstrate a clear use in medicinal chemistry through comparison with experimental data.
Topic Editor Lhassane Ismaïli holds 2 patents in the field of the design and synthesis of MTDL for Alzheimer's disease. The other Editors declare no competing interests.
