A natural source of possible anti-amyloid agents for Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an incurable, neurodegenerative and terminal disease that is generally prevalent in the elderly population. Recent research has provided evidence for a common mechanism of neurodegeneration whereby misfolding, aggregation and accumulation of otherwise normal proteins occurs in the brain. The protein frequently associated with AD is amyloid-beta (Aβ) which forms the core component of plaques found in the brain of these patients. Currently, no cure is available and the only approved treatment is that of pharmacotherapeutic agents that slow down the disease progression. Research studies currently underway include the use of small molecules that specifically and efficiently inhibit the formation of fibrillar AB assemblies in vitro and their associated neurotoxicity.