Unlocking new avenues for neuropsychiatric disease therapy: the emerging potential of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors as promising therapeutic targets

Abstract

Rationale: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors that regulate various physiological processes such as inflammation, lipid metabolism, and glucose homeostasis. Recent studies suggest that targeting PPARs could be beneficial in treating neuropsychiatric disorders by modulating neuronal function and signaling pathways in the brain. PPAR-α, PPAR-δ, and PPAR-γ have been found to play important roles in cognitive function, neuroinflammation, and neuroprotection. Dysregulation of PPARs has been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. The limitations and side effects of current treatments have prompted research to target PPARs as a promising novel therapeutic strategy. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown the potential of PPAR agonists and antagonists to improve symptoms associated with these disorders.

Objective: This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of PPARs in neuropsychiatric disorders, their potential as therapeutic targets, and the challenges and future directions for developing PPAR-based therapies.

Methods: An extensive literature review of various search engines like PubMed, Medline, Bentham, Scopus, and EMBASE (Elsevier) databases was carried out with the keywords "PPAR, Neuropsychiatric disorders, Oxidative stress, Inflammation, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Major depression disorder, Autism spectrum disorder, molecular pathway".

Result & conclusion: Although PPARs present a hopeful direction for innovative therapeutic approaches in neuropsychiatric conditions, additional research is required to address obstacles and convert this potential into clinically viable and individualized treatments.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Bipolar Disorder; Inflammation; Major depression disorder; Neuropsychiatricdisorders; Oxidative stress; Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors; Schizophrenia.