Neural network dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease: A drug development perspective

作者：Small David H^*

来源：Drug News & Perspectives, 2007, 20(9): 557-563.

Over the last few years, a major focus of Alzheimer's disease research,has been to understand the mechanisms by which build-up of the P-amyloid protein (A beta) in the brain leads to chronic neurodegeneration and eventual cell death. It is increasingly recognized that cell death is not a major cause of dementia. Indeed, recent studies suggest that A beta causes neuritic dystrophy and interferes with mechanisms of synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation. There are also a number of well-described homeostatic mechanisms in the brain that help to maintain signal strength as a consequence of lowered synaptic input, which may occur as a consequence of neuritic dystrophy. This review examines mechanisms of synaptic scaling in the brain and explores prospects for future drug development based on a neural network perspective.

• 出版日期2007-11