Why should we use multifunctional neuroprotective and neurorestorative drugs for Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder, with no available drugs able to prevent the neuronal cell loss characteristic in brains of patients suffering from PD. Due to the complex cascade of molecular events involved in the etiology of PD, an innovative approach towards neuroprotection or neurorescue may entail the use of multifunctional pharmaceuticals that target an array of pathological pathways, each of which is believed to contribute to events that ultimately lead to neuronal cell death. Here we discuss examples of novel multifunctional ligands that may have potential as neuroprotective and neurorestorative therapeutics in PD. The compounds discussed originate from synthetic chemistry as well as from natural sources where various moieties, identified in research to possess neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties, have been introduced into the structures of several monomodal drugs, some of which are used in the clinic.
Youdim
Moussa B H
MB
Technion-Rappaport Family-Faculty of Medicine, Eve Topf and US National Parkinson Foundation Centers of Excellence for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Haifa, Israel. Youdim@tx.technion.ac.il
Geldenhuys
Werner J
WJ
Van der Schyf
Cornelis J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008954:Models, Biological; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents