title: Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease and Glaucoma: From Common Degenerative Mechanisms Toward Neuroprotection.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and glaucoma are two distinct multifactorial neurodegenerative diseases, primarily affecting the elderly. Common pathophysiological mechanisms have been elucidated in the past decades. First of all both diseases are progressive, with AD leading to dementia and glaucoma inducing blindness. Pathologically, they all feature synaptic dysfunction with changes of neuronal circuitry, progressive accumulation of protein aggregates such as the beta amyloid (Aβ) and intracellular microtubule inclusions containing hyperphosphorylated tau, which belongs to microtubule associated protein family. During an early phase of degeneration, both diseases are characterized by synaptic dysfunction and changes of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Common degenerative mechanisms underlying both diseases are discussed here, along with recent results on the potential use of the visual system as a biomarker for diagnosis and progression of AD. Common neuropathological changes and mechanisms in AD and glaucoma have facilitated the transfer of therapeutic strategies between diseases. In particular, we discuss past and present evidence for neuroprotective effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute of the National Council of Research (CNR) Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Criscuolo
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute of the National Council of Research (CNR) Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fabiani
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute of the National Council of Research (CNR) Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cerri
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute of the National Council of Research (CNR)Pisa, Italy; Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L'AquilaL'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Domenici
keywords: beta amyloid; brain-derived neurotrophic factor; synaptic dysfunction; tau; visual system impairment