Wnt/beta-Catenin Signaling in Alzheimer's Disease

De Ferrari, GV; Avila, ME; Medina, MA; Perez-Palma, E; Bustos, BI; Alarcón MA

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes a progressive decline of mental and cognitive processes such as memory, judgment and reasoning. We proposed earlier that a sustained loss of function of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling components underlies the onset and progression of the disease. Here, we discuss recent data on the involvement of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling on amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, A beta peptide neurotoxicity, tau phosphorylation, and modulation of Apolipoprotein E function in the brain. We conclude that several components of the cascade are actively engaged in the events leading to AD neuropathology and propose that compounds that mimic activation of this signaling cascade, such as lithium, should be considered for therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer's patients. In summary, data accumulated during the past decade confirm some important predictions of our hypothesis where components of this signaling cascade are actively engaged in the events leading to AD neuropathology and that compounds that mimic activation of this signaling cascade, such as lithium, should be considered for therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer's patients.

Más información

Título según WOS: Wnt/beta-Catenin Signaling in Alzheimer's Disease
Título de la Revista: CNS NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS
Volumen: 13
Número: 5
Editorial: BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBL
Fecha de publicación: 2014
Página de inicio: 745
Página final: 754
Idioma: English
Notas: ISI