Metal Complexing Agents for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuronal dysfunction, reactive gliosis, and the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. There is a growing body of evidence to support a central role for biometals such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) in many critical aspects of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. The amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide and its parental molecule, the amyloid precursor protein (APP) both modulate homeostasis of Cu and Zn in the brain. Perturbations to biometal metabolism in AD lead to fundamental changes in Aβ and APP expression as well as peptide aggregation and free..