All-trans retinoic acid as a novel therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
Retinoic acid, an essential factor derived from vitamin A, has been shown to have a variety of functions including roles as an antioxidant and in cellular differentiation. Since oxidative stress and dedifferentiation of neurons appear to be common pathological elements of a number of neurodegenerative disorders, we speculated that retinoic acid may offer therapeutic promise. In this vein, recent compelling evidence indicates a role of retinoic acid in cognitive activities and anti-amyloidogenic properties. Here, we review the actions of retinoic acid that indicate that it may have therapeutic properties ideally served for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Lee
Hyun-Pil
HP
Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. hxl204@case.edu
Casadesus
Gemma
G
Zhu
Xiongwei
X
Lee
Hyoung-gon
HG
Perry
George
G
Smith
Mark A
MA
Gustaw-Rothenberg
Katarzyna
K
Lerner
Alan
A
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D014212:Tretinoin