Fragile X Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease: Another story about APP and beta-amyloid

Curr Alzheimer Res. 2010 May;7(3):200-6. doi: 10.2174/156720510791050957.

Abstract

As the mechanisms underlying neuronal development and degeneration become clarified, a number of common effectors and signaling pathways are becoming apparent. Here we describe the identification of Abeta, long considered a pathologic mediator of Alzheimers Disease and Down Syndrome, as similarly over-expressed in the neurodevelopmental disease, Fragile X Syndrome. We also show that mGluR5 inhibitors, currently employed for the treatment of Fragile X, reduce Abeta production in rodent models of Fragile X and AD as well as reduce disease phenotypes including seizures. Thus seemingly disparate neurologic diseases may share a common pathologic instigator and be treatable with a common, currently available class of therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / biosynthesis*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein / genetics
  • Fragile X Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Fragile X Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Fragile X Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Phenotype
  • Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • GRM5 protein, human
  • Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein
  • Glutamic Acid