title: Understanding the relationship between GSK-3 and Alzheimer's disease: a focus on how GSK-3 can modulate synaptic plasticity processes.
abstract: Originally discovered because of its role in the regulation of glucose metabolism, GSK-3 is now widely recognized as a crucial player in many cellular functions. Control of GSK-3 activity occurs by complex mechanisms that are each dependent upon specific signaling pathways. Furthermore, GSK-3 dysfunction has been linked to a number of pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In particular, the involvement of GSK-3 in several key pathophysiological pathways leading to AD and neurodegenerative diseases has placed this enzyme in a central position in this disorder. In this article, the authors will specifically focus on the role of this enzyme as a key regulator of synaptic plasticity and how alterations in the GSK-3 synaptic functions may be a major factor in AD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Valderrebollo 5, 28041-Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Avila
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; C448021:glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha