TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular mechanisms of glutamate-induced neurodegeneration
AU - Memo, Maurizio
AU - Pizzi, Marina
AU - Valerio, Alessandra
AU - Grilli, Mariagrazia
AU - Spano, Pierfranco
PY - 1995
Y1 - 1995
N2 - One of the unanswered questions surrounding the causes of Alzheimer's disease is how the two neuropathological hallmarks of the disease, i.e. amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, arise. In fact, up to now, little is known of the molecular events which lead to the synthesis of these very insoluble proteins and initiate a cascade of interlocking pathologies characterized by nerve terminal aberrancies, reactive gliosis, abnormal neuronal growth, and neuronal death. We suggest that, after certain unknown conditions, a number of selective neurons may modify the pattern of expression of a number of gene products in such a way as to react to specific stimuli in an abnormal fashion, perhaps incompatible with survival. Although Alzheimer's disease is complex in its origin and development, we suggest that abnormal glutamate reactivity may be one cause of neuronal death. This review will focus on some of the mechanisms triggered by glutamate, interacting with specific glutamate receptors, in relationship to neurodegeneration. Particular emphasis will be devoted to studies of the regulation of βamyloid and tau protein expression.
AB - One of the unanswered questions surrounding the causes of Alzheimer's disease is how the two neuropathological hallmarks of the disease, i.e. amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, arise. In fact, up to now, little is known of the molecular events which lead to the synthesis of these very insoluble proteins and initiate a cascade of interlocking pathologies characterized by nerve terminal aberrancies, reactive gliosis, abnormal neuronal growth, and neuronal death. We suggest that, after certain unknown conditions, a number of selective neurons may modify the pattern of expression of a number of gene products in such a way as to react to specific stimuli in an abnormal fashion, perhaps incompatible with survival. Although Alzheimer's disease is complex in its origin and development, we suggest that abnormal glutamate reactivity may be one cause of neuronal death. This review will focus on some of the mechanisms triggered by glutamate, interacting with specific glutamate receptors, in relationship to neurodegeneration. Particular emphasis will be devoted to studies of the regulation of βamyloid and tau protein expression.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0029554829&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3109/09540269509022986
DO - 10.3109/09540269509022986
M3 - Article
SN - 0954-0261
VL - 7
SP - 339
EP - 348
JO - International Review of Psychiatry
JF - International Review of Psychiatry
IS - 3-4
ER -