title: Gamma-secretase as a pharmacological target in Alzheimer disease research: when, why and how?
abstract: Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by excessive deposition of amyloid beta-peptides (Abeta peptides) in the form of senile plaques as well as neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. In the amyloidogenic pathway, the amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) is cleaved by beta-secretase first, followed by gamma-secretase cleavage producing therefore Abeta. This review summarizes the recent findings in the AD field and focuses on the different gamma-secretase inhibitors that have been developed as a therapeutic approach toward AD.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Catalyse et Chimie Fine, Université Abou Bekr Belkaid, B.P.119, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria. czcherif@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Chewki
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ziani-Cherif
authors.forename: Bachir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mostefa-Kara
authors.forename: Fatima Z
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Brixi-Gormat
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases