Enzymatic Targets for Drug Discovery Against Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease. The disease itself is progressive and full recovery from it isn’t achievable yet. There are several hypotheses asserted (Cholinergic hypothesis, Amyloid hypothesis etc.) to explain the mechanisms behind the disease. Also, many targets have been identified for possible therapeutics and from these targets, numerous drug candidates have been evaluated in clinical trials. Unfortunately, most of these trials failed due to the enigmatic nature of this disease. Currently, there are 7103 targets associated with Alzheimer's disease listed in the Open Targets platform where 1240 of them are enzyme-related. In this chapter, enzymatic targets of the AD have been reviewed, and those claimed to have disease modifying effects were selected and presented according to their clinical significance.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Caspases, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Enzyme Inhibitors, Gingipain Cysteine Endopeptidases, Histone Deacetylases, Insulysin, Metalloproteases, Neurofibrillary Tangles, Protein Kinase Inhibitors, Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors, Synaptic Transmission, Sirtuins, Tau Proteins