Neurodegenerative disorders are known to be multifactorial in
nature and current research focus has moved from a ‘one-drug-one-target
approach’ to that of drugs which are able to act at various relevant biological
targets. These drugs are designed to address more than one etiological target,
thereby increasing therapeutic effect and patient compliance and may lower the
likelihood of encountering unwanted side-effects. Monoamine oxidase (MAO),
nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are enzymes
that have long been associated as potential targets for neurodegenerative
disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The selective
inhibition of the abovementioned enzymes and other relevant CNS targets may
provide promising strategies in the development of multifunctional neuroprotective
therapeutic agents for the treatment/prevention of neurodegenerative
disorders.
Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, drug
design, monoamine oxidase, multi-target-directed ligands, neurodegenerative
disorders, nitric oxide synthase.
