Navigating the Landscape of Alzheimer's Disease: From Epidemiology to Drug Re-purposing

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent and complex neurodegenerative disorder, primarily affecting the elderly population and characterized by cognitive decline. It is primarily diagnosed based on the presence of neurotic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The prevalence of AD is increasing, and existing treatments, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, aim to alleviate symptoms rather than provide a cure. These treatments have limitations and side effects, leading to the urgent need for innovative therapies. This review discusses the challenges in current AD treatments and explores potential future approaches. Precision medicine, epigenetic interventions, immunotherapy, anti-amyloid and anti-tau agents, and drug repurposing are promising strategies that offer potential benefits in addressing the underlying pathology of AD. Drug repurposing, in particular, is highlighted as a cost-effective and time-saving approach to accelerating drug development. Illustrative examples of repurposed drugs are presented, shedding light on the potential of this strategy to provide effective AD treatments. Moreover, strategies for drug repurposing involve experimental methods like binding assays and phenotypic screening, as well as computational approaches driven by AI. Collaboration among diverse stakeholders and the use of extensive databases enhance repurposing efforts. Examples of repurposed molecules for Alzheimer's disease include anti-diabetic drugs and certain anti -cancer agents, showing potential for AD treatment. Thalidomide's anti-inflammatory properties combat AD-related inflammation. PD-1 blockers like Pembrolizumab activate the immune system against AD. Imatinib shows neuroprotective effects. Antibiotics, antivirals, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, and erectile dysfunction drugs offer diverse strategies for AD therapy.