Wnt is here! Could Wnt signalling be promoted to protect against Alzheimer disease?

Abstract

This Editorial highlights an article in the current issue by Tapia-Rojas and Inestrosa suggesting that attenuation of Wnt signalling may be a triggering factor for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) in the J20 mouse model of AD. Their study utilises Wnt signalling inhibitors that operate at different points in the signalling pathway. The molecular changes of several key Wnt signaling components are examined, along with a thorough analysis of both the amyloid and tau based pathologies in the mouse brain. Studies focusing on inhibition of Wnt signalling in AD mice have the potential to provide much needed information regarding the pathological mechanisms by which attenuated Wnt signalling impacts on AD. (Figure presented.).