The role of opioid receptors in modulating Alzheimer's Disease

• Main Authors: Parthasaradhireddy Tanguturi (Author), John M. Streicher (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2023-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1663-9812; 10.3389/fphar.2023.1056402
• Keywords: neurodegenerative disorders; Alzheimer's disease; opioid receptors; β-secretase-1; amyloid-β; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Frontiers in Pharmacology, Vol 14 (2023)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurological disorder characterized by accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Long term investigation of AD pathogenesis suggests that β-site amyloid precursor protein [APP] cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ-secretase enzymes promote the amyloidogenic pathway and produce toxic Aβ peptides that are predisposed to aggregate in the brain. Hence, the targeted inhibition of BACE1/γ-secretase expression and function is a promising approach for AD therapy. Several reports have suggested that the opioid family of G-protein coupled receptors modulate the etiology of AD progression. It has also been found that changes in the signaling pathways of opioid receptors increased the expression of BACE1 and γ-secretase, and is strongly correlated with abnormal production of Aβ and pathogenesis of AD. Thus, the opioid receptor family is a promising candidate for targeted drug development to treat AD. In this review, we outline the involvement and mechanisms of opioid receptor signaling modulation in Alzheimer's Disease progression.