Insulin-like growth factor I and Alzheimer's disease: therapeutic prospects?
The search for a cure of Alzheimer's dementia is restless. In recent years, unexpected epidemiological data showing a protective effect of anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering drugs gave way to clinical trials with these compounds. Now, a newly described mechanism indicating that brain amyloid clearance is modulated by serum insulin-like growth factor I may also lead to new trials with this growth factor. Insulin-like growth factor I is an abundant circulating hormone with potent central actions whose levels in serum appear to be altered in Alzheimer's patients. Amyloid clearance, a potential therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease was mostly neglected until recent antiamyloid therapies proved to involve a peripheral amyloid sink. Although more work in animal models are required, the evidence available strongly indicates that insulin-like growth factor I therapy in Alzheimer's dementia may be addressing pathogenic processes.
Carro
Eva
E
Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avda. Dr. Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain. isrc312@cajal.csic.es
Torres-Aleman
Ignacio
I
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I