Autophagy in Alzheimer's disease

作者：Moreira Paula I; Santos Renato X; Zhu Xiongwei; Lee Hyoung gon; Smith Mark A; Casadesus Gemma; Perry George^*

来源：Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 2010, 10(7): 1209-1218.

DOI：10.1586/ERN.10.84

• Alzheimer's disease
• autophagy
• death
• neurodegeneration
• protection
• therapeutic target

Autophagy is a degradation pathway for the turnover of dysfunctional organelles or aggregated proteins in cells. Extensive literature exists supporting a causative role of mitochondrial dysfunction and amyloid-beta protein in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Furthermore, a link between mitochondrial dysfunction, amyloid-beta levels and autophagy has been reported to occur in AD. However, it is not yet clear if autophagy plays a causative role, a protective role or is a consequence of the disease process itself. Understanding the exact role of autophagy in different stages of AD progression may help to design more effective therapeutic strategies. A central issue in developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases involves understanding why and when responses to stress or injury can help prevent neuronal degeneration and death.

• 出版日期2010-7