Advances in Alzheimer's Disease's Pharmacological Treatment

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia in the elderly. Several hypotheses emerged from AD pathophysiological mechanisms. However, no neuronal protective or regenerative drug is available nowadays. Researchers still work in drug development and are finding new molecular targets to treat AD. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize main advances in AD pharmacological therapy. Clinical trials registered in the National Library of Medicine database were selected and analyzed accordingly to molecular targets, therapeutic effects, and safety profile. The most common outcome was the lack of efficacy. Only seven trials concluded that tested drugs were safe and induced any kind of therapeutic improvement. Three works showed therapeutic effects followed by toxicity. In addition to aducanumab recent FDA approval, antibodies against amyloid-β (Aβ) showed no noteworthy results. 5-HT6 antagonists, tau inhibitors and nicotinic agonists' data were discouraging. However, anti-Aβ vaccine, BACE inhibitor and anti-neuroinflammation drugs showed promising results.

Citing Articles

The Potential Role of Phytochemicals in Alzheimer's Disease.

Baranowska-Wojcik E, Gajowniczek-Alasa D, Pawlikowska-Pawlega B, Szwajgier D Nutrients. 2025; 17(4).

PMID: 40004981 PMC: 11858096. DOI: 10.3390/nu17040653.

Unveiling the Interplay: Neurovascular Coupling, Astrocytes and G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease.

Al-Jaf S, Soliman A, El-Yazbi A, Abd-Elrahman K ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci. 2025; 8(2):271-285.

PMID: 39974631 PMC: 11833731. DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00614.

Behavioral and Biochemical Effects of an Arylhydrazone Derivative of 5-Methoxyindole-2-Carboxylic Acid in a Scopolamine-Induced Model of Alzheimer's Type Dementia in Rats.

Petkova-Kirova P, Anastassova N, Minchev B, Uzunova D, Grigorova V, Tsvetanova E Molecules. 2024; 29(23).

PMID: 39683869 PMC: 11643547. DOI: 10.3390/molecules29235711.

Therapeutic Potential of Ramalin Derivatives with Enhanced Stability in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Kim T, Hong J, Kim J, Kim K, Han S, Kim I Molecules. 2024; 29(22).

PMID: 39598614 PMC: 11597085. DOI: 10.3390/molecules29225223.

Photobiomodulation as a Potential Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease: A Review Paper.

Wang M, Dinarvand D, Chan C, Bragin A, Li L Brain Sci. 2024; 14(11).

PMID: 39595827 PMC: 11591719. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14111064.

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