Targeting HDACs: A Promising Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease
2011

Targeting HDACs: A Promising Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Xu Ke, Dai Xue-Ling, Huang Han-Chang, Jiang Zhao-Feng

Primary Institution: Capital Normal University, Beijing, China

Hypothesis

The physiological roles of HDACs may provide a new perspective to understand the mechanism of Alzheimer's disease and to develop selective HDAC inhibitors.

Conclusion

HDAC inhibitors may ameliorate cognitive deficits and memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease animal models.

Supporting Evidence

  • HDAC inhibitors have been reported to improve memory and cognition in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.
  • Valproic acid significantly reduces Aβ plaque in AD transgenic mice.
  • Nicotinamide restores cognitive deficits in 3xTg-AD mice.
  • Phenylbutyrate ameliorates cognitive deficits in Tg2576 mice.

Takeaway

This study suggests that certain drugs can help improve memory in Alzheimer's disease by affecting how genes are turned on and off in the brain.

Methodology

The paper reviews recent research on HDAC proteins and their inhibitors in the context of Alzheimer's disease treatment.

Limitations

The exact role of specific HDAC subtypes in Alzheimer's disease and the effectiveness of selective HDAC inhibitors remain unclear.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1155/2011/143269

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