title: Caspases and neuroprotection.
abstract: Apoptotic cell death has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. The caspase family of cysteine proteases are involved both in the initiation and final execution of apoptosis. Inhibition of the caspase family prevents cell death in a number of models of neurodegenerative cell death in vivo and in vitro. This sparing of neurons does not always correlate with long-term functional recovery, possibly due to the limitations of the available inhibitors. In this review, the evidence for a neuroprotective role of caspase inhibition in models of Parkinson's disease and cerebral ischemia is critically evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Merck, Sharp and Dohme Neuroscience Research Centre, Terlings Park, Eastwick Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2QR, UK. james_bilsland@merck.com
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bilsland
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harper
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D020169:Caspases