Current status of metals as therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence that interactions between β-amyloid and copper, iron, and zinc are associated with the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A significant dyshomeostasis of copper, iron, and zinc has been detected, and the mismanagement of these metals induces β-amyloid precipitation and neurotoxicity. Chelating agents offer a potential therapeutic solution to the neurotoxicity induced by copper and iron dyshomeostasis. Currently, the copper and zinc chelating agent clioquinol represents a potential therapeutic route that may not only inhibit β-amyloid neurotoxicity, but may also reverse the accumulation of neocortical β-amyloid. A Phase II double-blind clinical trial o..