Wnt Signaling Deregulation in the Aging and Alzheimer's Brain

Overview

Journal Front Cell Neurosci

Specialty Cell Biology

Date 2019 Jun 14

PMID 31191253

Citations 105

Authors

Ernest Palomer

Johanna Buechler

Patricia C Salinas

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that synaptic signaling is compromised in the aging brain and in Alzheimer's disease (AD), contributing to synaptic decline. Wnt signaling is a prominent pathway at the synapse and is required for synaptic plasticity and maintenance in the adult brain. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on deregulation of Wnt signaling in the context of aging and AD. Emerging studies suggest that enhancing Wnt signaling could boost synaptic function during aging, and ameliorate synaptic pathology in AD. Although further research is needed to determine the precise contribution of deficient Wnt signaling to AD pathogenesis, targeting Wnt signaling components may provide novel therapeutic avenues for synapse protection or restoration in the brain.

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