G-protein coupled receptors as therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases.
Neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases are frequent in elderly populations and comprise primarily of dementia (mainly Alzheimer's disease) Parkinson's disease and stroke. These neurological disorders (NDs) occur as a result of neurodegenerative processes and represent one of the most frequent causes of death and disability worldwide with a significant clinical and socio-economic impact. Although NDs have been characterized for many years, the exact molecular mechanisms that govern these pathologies or why they target specific individuals and specific neuronal populations remain unclear. As research progresses, many similarities appear which relate these diseases to one another on a subcellular level. Discovering these similarities offers hope for therapeutic advances that could ameliorate the conditions of many diseases simultaneously. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most abundant receptor type in the central nervous system and are linked to complex downstream pathways, manipulation of which may have therapeutic application in many NDs. This review will highlight the potential use of neurotransmitter GPCRs as emerging therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases.
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Faculty of Exact Sciences and Nature and Life Sciences, Department of Biology, Larbi Ben M'hidi University, Oum El Bouaghi 04000, Algeria.
Mounia
M
Guerram
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
Lu-Yong
LY
Zhang
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Center for Pharmacodynamics Research and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China. Electronic address: beaglejiang@cpu.edu.cn.
Zhen-Zhou
ZZ
Jiang
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
GPCRs; Neurological disorders; Neurotransmitter; Therapeutic target