Amyloid beta-peptide: biphasic dose responses.
This article summarizes recent findings indicating that amyloid beta-peptide displays neurotoxic and neurotrophic effects, depending on concentration. Mechanistic findings revealed that reactive oxygen species mediate both the toxic and neurotropic responses as a function of concentration with low doses being neutotrophic, while higher doses were toxic. The data reveal a potential biological function for amyloid beta-peptide within an optimal concentration zone. These findings suggest the critical role of dose in understanding disease causation and clinical therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.
Calabrese
E J
EJ
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA. edwardc@schoolph.umass.edu
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species