title: The crucial role of metal ions in neurodegeneration: the basis for a promising therapeutic strategy.
abstract: The variety of factors and events involved in neurodegeneration renders the subject a major challenge. Neurodegenerative disorders include a number of different pathological conditions, which share similar critical metabolic processes, such as protein aggregation and oxidative stress, both of which are associated with the involvement of metal ions. In this review, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and prion disease are discussed, with the aim of identifying common trends underlying these devastating neurological conditions. Chelation therapy could be a valuable therapeutic approach, since metals are considered to be a pharmacological target for the rationale design of new therapeutic agents directed towards the treatment of neurodegeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, King's College, Franklin-Wilkins Building, London. alessandra.gaeta@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaeta
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Hider
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008345:Manganese / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011328:Prions / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D002614:Chelating Agents; D007477:Ions; D008670:Metals; D011328:Prions; D011506:Proteins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron