A New Kid on the Block? Carbonic Anhydrases as Possible New Targets in Alzheimer's Disease

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Sep 24;20(19):4724. doi: 10.3390/ijms20194724.

Abstract

The increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's Disease (AD), is a consequence of the world's population aging but unfortunately, existing treatments are only effective at delaying some of the symptoms and for a limited time. Despite huge efforts by both academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies, no disease-modifying drugs have been brought to the market in the last decades. Recently, several studies shed light on Carbonic Anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) as possible new targets for AD treatment. In the present review we summarized preclinical and clinical findings regarding the role of CAs and their inhibitors/activators on cognition, aging and neurodegeneration and we discuss future challenges and opportunities in the field.

Keywords: aging; cognition; mitochondria; neurodegenerative diseases; oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / etiology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Carbonic Anhydrases / genetics
  • Carbonic Anhydrases / metabolism*
  • Central Nervous System / drug effects
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / etiology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
  • Carbonic Anhydrases