![conference banner](/images/conference-banner.jpeg)
Abstract
Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), its therapy remains largely symptomatic and supportive. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors - the first-line drugs used today do not prevent and treat AD. So far, over 90 Phase 3 trials of AD have been unsuccessful with 99.0% failure rate. There is, therefore, an urgent need to find effective new therapies for AD. Owing to the multifactorial nature of AD pathogenesis, polypharmacy with drugs that target heterogeneous pathophysiological pathways, needs to be considered. Fortunately, several drugs used currently in clinical use as monotherapies can be exploited in AD. This article, therefore, presents a novel pharmacological treatment paradigm and recommends the use of valuable diseasemodifying approved drugs, viz. melatonin, minocycline, modafinil, and memantine (the “M” Drugs). Melatonin - a neuroprotector is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Minocycline is also neuroprotective, it reduces neuroinflammation and CNS pathology and prevents cell death. Sleep deprivation leads to decreased hippocampal neurogenesis, increased amyloid beta generation, and causes memory dysfunction. Modafinil - a wake-promoting agent is approved for use in narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea. It improves global mental status, hippocampal neurogenesis, attention, and cognition. Memantine is an uncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor antagonist and is approved for the management of moderate-to-severe AD. The paramount possible beneficial effects of the M-drugs may include significant memory and cognitive enhancement in aging, mild cognitive impairment, and AD. The M drugs-centric pharmacotherapy strategy is comprehensive and pragmatic and is meant to combat multiple pathological targets and ameliorate cognitive dysfunction/AD.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress, Melatonin, Minocycline, Modafinil, Memantine, amyloid beta, tau hyperphosphorylation.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Pharmacotherpy and Alzheimer’s Disease: The M-Drugs (Melatonin, Minocycline, Modafinil, and Memantine) Approach
Volume: 22 Issue: 16
Author(s): Mak Adam Daulatzai
Affiliation:
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress, Melatonin, Minocycline, Modafinil, Memantine, amyloid beta, tau hyperphosphorylation.
Abstract: Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), its therapy remains largely symptomatic and supportive. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors - the first-line drugs used today do not prevent and treat AD. So far, over 90 Phase 3 trials of AD have been unsuccessful with 99.0% failure rate. There is, therefore, an urgent need to find effective new therapies for AD. Owing to the multifactorial nature of AD pathogenesis, polypharmacy with drugs that target heterogeneous pathophysiological pathways, needs to be considered. Fortunately, several drugs used currently in clinical use as monotherapies can be exploited in AD. This article, therefore, presents a novel pharmacological treatment paradigm and recommends the use of valuable diseasemodifying approved drugs, viz. melatonin, minocycline, modafinil, and memantine (the “M” Drugs). Melatonin - a neuroprotector is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Minocycline is also neuroprotective, it reduces neuroinflammation and CNS pathology and prevents cell death. Sleep deprivation leads to decreased hippocampal neurogenesis, increased amyloid beta generation, and causes memory dysfunction. Modafinil - a wake-promoting agent is approved for use in narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea. It improves global mental status, hippocampal neurogenesis, attention, and cognition. Memantine is an uncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor antagonist and is approved for the management of moderate-to-severe AD. The paramount possible beneficial effects of the M-drugs may include significant memory and cognitive enhancement in aging, mild cognitive impairment, and AD. The M drugs-centric pharmacotherapy strategy is comprehensive and pragmatic and is meant to combat multiple pathological targets and ameliorate cognitive dysfunction/AD.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Adam Daulatzai Mak, Pharmacotherpy and Alzheimer’s Disease: The M-Drugs (Melatonin, Minocycline, Modafinil, and Memantine) Approach, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2016; 22 (16) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666160203142111
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666160203142111 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Blood-based biomarkers in large-scale screening for neurodegenerative diseases
Disease biomarkers are necessary tools that can be employ in several clinical context of use (COU), ranging from the (early) diagnosis, prognosis, prediction, to monitor of disease state and/or drug efficacy. Regarding neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a battery of well-validated biomarkers are available, such as cerebrospinal fluid ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Diabetes mellitus: advances in diagnosis and treatment driving by precision medicine
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic degenerative metabolic disease with ever increasing prevalence worldwide which is now an epidemic disease affecting 500 million people worldwide. Insufficient insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells unable to maintain blood glucose homeostasis is the main feature of this disease. Multifactorial and complex nature of ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
![Wayfinder Image](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Neopterin as a Marker for Immune System Activation
Current Drug Metabolism Trypanosomatid Parasites Causing Neglected Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors – A Review on Pharmacology, Metabolism and Side Effects
Current Drug Metabolism Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II in Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurologic Disorders and Prostate Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment in Peripheral Arterial Disease: Insights from the PARTNERS and REACH Registries
Current Vascular Pharmacology Approaches to the Management of Acute Kidney Injury in Children
Recent Patents on Biomarkers Nanoparticulated Quercetin in Combating Age Related Cerebral Oxidative Injury
Current Aging Science Susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to Natural Products: Can Past Research Direct Future Drug Development?
Current Bioactive Compounds Ethical and Policy Considerations in the Application of Pharmacogenomic Testing for Tardive Dyskinesia: Case Study of the Dopamine D3 Receptor
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Non Smoking for Successful Aging: Therapeutic Perspectives
Current Pharmaceutical Design A Novel Botulinum Toxin TAT-EGFP-HCS Fusion Protein Capable of Specific Delivery Through the Blood-brain Barrier to the Central Nervous System
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Statin Treatment Non-adherence and Discontinuation: Clinical Implications and Potential Solutions
Current Pharmaceutical Design Inhibitors of c-jun-N-Terminal Kinase (JNK)
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Porphyromonas gingivalis Mediated Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerosis:Disparate Diseases with Commonalities in Pathogenesis Through TLRs
Current Pharmaceutical Design ACP5: Its Structure, Distribution, Regulation and Novel Functions
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Editorial (Hot Topic: Drugs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Current Medicinal Chemistry Nitric Oxide, Peroxynitrite, Peroxynitrous Acid, Nitroxyl, Nitrogen Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide: Biochemical Mechanisms and Bioaction
Current Bioactive Compounds Study about How A Sample of Portuguese People Perceive the Health Benefits of Dietary Fibre
Current Nutrition & Food Science Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure: An Innocent Bystander?
Current Cardiology Reviews 25OH-Vitamin D3 Levels in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome—Unaltered in Young and not Correlated to Carotid IMT in All Ages
Current Pharmaceutical Design