Amyloid β-Targeted Inhibitory Peptides for Alzheimer’s Disease: Current State and Future Perspectives

Excerpt

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common irreversible neurodegenerative disorder. To date, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. While multiple pathological mechanisms have been proposed for the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, the hypothesis that attracted much attention is the amyloid hypothesis. The senile plaques that accumulate in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients are predominantly composed of beta amyloid (Aβ). Aβ deposition in the brain is thought to occur years before the emergence of clinical symptoms. The overproduction, aggregation, and fibrillation of Aβ, combined with reduced clearance, eventually lead to amyloid plaque formation and subsequent neurotoxicity. Hence, inhibition of Aβ aggregation and the promotion of Aβ clearance have been actively explored as therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease. This chapter provides an overview of the current knowledge on one such strategy, Aβ-targeted inhibitory peptides.