Isoprenoids and Alzheimer's disease: A complex relationship

S. L. Cole*, R. Vassar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cholesterol metabolism has been linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology, which is characterized by amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neuroinflammation. Indeed, the use of statins, which inhibit cholesterol and isoprenoid biosynthesis, as potential AD therapeutics is under investigation. Whether statins offer benefit for AD will be determined by the outcome of large, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials. However, their use as pharmacological tools has delineated novel roles for isoprenoids in AD. Protein isoprenylation regulates multiple cellular and molecular events and here we review the complex roles of isoprenoids in AD-relevant processes and carefully evaluate isoprenoid pathways as potential AD therapeutic targets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)209-222
Number of pages14
JournalNeurobiology of Disease
Volume22
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2006

Keywords

  • APP metabolism
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Cholesterol
  • Isoprenoids
  • Neuroinflammation
  • Statins
  • Tau

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology

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