scholarly journals Probiotics for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Ruth Naomi ◽  
Hashim Embong ◽  
Fezah Othman ◽  
Hasanain Faisal Ghazi ◽  
Nithiyah Maruthey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative disorders affecting mostly the elderly. It is characterized by the presence of Aβ and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), resulting in cognitive and memory impairment. Research shows that alteration in gut microbial diversity and defects in gut brain axis are linked to AD. Probiotics are known to be one of the best preventative measures against cognitive decline in AD. Numerous in vivo trials and recent clinical trials have proven the effectiveness of selected bacterial strains in slowing down the progression of AD. It is proven that probiotics modulate the inflammatory process, counteract with oxidative stress, and modify gut microbiota. Thus, this review summarizes the current evidence, diversity of bacterial strains, defects of gut brain axis in AD, harmful bacterial for AD, and the mechanism of action of probiotics in preventing AD. A literature search on selected databases such as PubMed, Semantic Scholar, Nature, and Springer link have identified potentially relevant articles to this topic. However, upon consideration of inclusion criteria and the limitation of publication year, only 22 articles have been selected to be further reviewed. The search query includes few sets of keywords as follows. (1) Probiotics OR gut microbiome OR microbes AND (2) Alzheimer OR cognitive OR aging OR dementia AND (3) clinical trial OR in vivo OR animal study. The results evidenced in this study help to clearly illustrate the relationship between probiotic supplementation and AD. Thus, this systematic review will help identify novel therapeutic strategies in the future as probiotics are free from triggering any adverse effects in human body.

Natural product-based nanomedicine: Recent advances and issues for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Choy Ker Woon ◽  
Wong Kah Hui ◽  
Razif Abas ◽  
Muhammad Huzaimi Haron ◽  
Srijit Das ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Drug Transport ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Progressive Neurodegeneration ◽  
The Brain

: Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects the elderly and is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration caused by different pathologies. The most significant challenges in treating AD include the inability of medications to reach the brain because of its poor solubility, low bioavailability, and the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Additionally, current evidence suggests the disruption of BBB plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. One of the critical challenges in treating AD is the ineffective treatments and its severe adverse effects. Nanotechnology offers an alternative approach to facilitate the treatment of AD by overcoming the challenges in drug transport across the BBB. Various nanoparticles (NP) loaded with natural products were reported to aid in drug delivery for the treatment of AD. The nano- sized entities of NP are great platforms for incorporating active materials from natural products into formulations that can be delivered effectively to the intended action site without compromising the material’s bioactivity. The review highlights the applications of medicinal plants, their derived components, and various nanomedicine-based approaches for the treatment of AD. The combination of medicinal plants and nanotechnology may lead to new theragnostic solutions for the treatment of AD in the future.

scholarly journals Astrocytes and Adenosine A2A Receptors: Active Players in Alzheimer’s Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cátia R. Lopes ◽  
Rodrigo A. Cunha ◽  
Paula Agostinho
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Morphological Alterations ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
A2a Receptors ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Astrocytes, through their numerous processes, establish a bidirectional communication with neurons that is crucial to regulate synaptic plasticity, the purported neurophysiological basis of memory. This evidence contributed to change the classic “neurocentric” view of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), being astrocytes increasingly considered a key player in this neurodegenerative disease. AD, the most common form of dementia in the elderly, is characterized by a deterioration of memory and of other cognitive functions. Although, early cognitive deficits have been associated with synaptic loss and dysfunction caused by amyloid-β peptides (Aβ), accumulating evidences support a role of astrocytes in AD. Astrocyte atrophy and reactivity occurring at early and later stages of AD, respectively, involve morphological alterations that translate into functional changes. However, the main signals responsible for astrocytic alterations in AD and their impact on synaptic function remain to be defined. One possible candidate is adenosine, which can be formed upon extracellular catabolism of ATP released by astrocytes. Adenosine can act as a homeostatic modulator and also as a neuromodulator at the synaptic level, through the activation of adenosine receptors, mainly of A1R and A2AR subtypes. These receptors are also present in astrocytes, being particularly relevant in pathological conditions, to control the morphofunctional responses of astrocytes. Here, we will focus on the role of A2AR, since they are particularly associated with neurodegeneration and also with memory processes. Furthermore, A2AR levels are increased in the AD brain, namely in astrocytes where they can control key astrocytic functions. Thus, unveiling the role of A2AR in astrocytes function might shed light on novel therapeutic strategies for AD.

Metabolomic Alterations in the Blood and Brain in Association with Alzheimer’s Disease: Evidence from in vivo to Clinical Studies

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Sirawit Sriwichaiin ◽  
Nipon Chattipakorn ◽  
Siriporn C. Chattipakorn
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Pathological Findings ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Major Health ◽  
The Brain

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become a major health problem among the elderly population. Some evidence suggests that metabolic disturbance possibly plays a role in the pathophysiology of AD. Currently, the study of metabolomics has been used to explore changes in multiple metabolites in several diseases, including AD. Thus, the metabolomics research in AD might provide some information regarding metabolic dysregulations, and their possible associated pathophysiology. This review summarizes the information discovered regarding the metabolites in the brain and the blood from the metabolomics research of AD from both animal and clinical studies. Additionally, the correlation between the changes in metabolites and outcomes, such as pathological findings in the brain and cognitive impairment are discussed. We also deliberate on the findings of cohort studies, demonstrating the alterations in metabolites before changes of cognitive function. All of these findings can be used to inform the potential identity of specific metabolites as possible biomarkers for AD.

scholarly journals Factors associated with brain ageing - a systematic review

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Wrigglesworth ◽  
Phillip Ward ◽  
Ian H. Harding ◽  
Dinuli Nilaweera ◽  
Zimu Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Brain Ageing

Abstract Background Brain age is a biomarker that predicts chronological age using neuroimaging features. Deviations of this predicted age from chronological age is considered a sign of age-related brain changes, or commonly referred to as brain ageing. The aim of this systematic review is to identify and synthesize the evidence for an association between lifestyle, health factors and diseases in adult populations, with brain ageing. Methods This systematic review was undertaken in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of Embase and Medline was conducted to identify relevant articles using search terms relating to the prediction of age from neuroimaging data or brain ageing. The tables of two recent review papers on brain ageing were also examined to identify additional articles. Studies were limited to adult humans (aged 18 years and above), from clinical or general populations. Exposures and study design of all types were also considered eligible. Results A systematic search identified 52 studies, which examined brain ageing in clinical and community dwelling adults (mean age between 21 to 78 years, ~ 37% were female). Most research came from studies of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or Alzheimer’s disease, or healthy populations that were assessed cognitively. From these studies, psychiatric and neurologic diseases were most commonly associated with accelerated brain ageing, though not all studies drew the same conclusions. Evidence for all other exposures is nascent, and relatively inconsistent. Heterogenous methodologies, or methods of outcome ascertainment, were partly accountable. Conclusion This systematic review summarised the current evidence for an association between genetic, lifestyle, health, or diseases and brain ageing. Overall there is good evidence to suggest schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease are associated with accelerated brain ageing. Evidence for all other exposures was mixed or limited. This was mostly due to a lack of independent replication, and inconsistency across studies that were primarily cross sectional in nature. Future research efforts should focus on replicating current findings, using prospective datasets. Trial registration A copy of the review protocol can be accessed through PROSPERO, registration number CRD42020142817.

scholarly journals Supplementation with Curcuma longa Reverses Neurotoxic and Behavioral Damage in Models of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 406-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ianara Mendonça da Costa ◽  
Marco Aurelio de Moura Freire ◽  
José Rodolfo Lopes de Paiva Cavalcanti ◽  
Dayane Pessoa de Araújo ◽  
Bianca Norrara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Senile Plaques ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Cochrane Library

Background: The formation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of the tau protein are the main pathological mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Current therapies for AD offer discrete benefits to the clinical symptoms and do not prevent the continuing degeneration of neuronal cells. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies have long been investigated, where curcumin (Curcuma longa) has shown some properties that can prevent the deleterious processes involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Objective: The aim of the present work is to review studies that addressed the effects of curcumin in experimental models (in vivo and in vitro) for AD. Method: This study is a systematic review conducted between January and June 2017, in which a consultation of scientific articles from indexed periodicals was carried out in Science Direct, United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Cochrane Library and Scielo databases, using the following descriptors: “Curcuma longa”, “Curcumin” and “Alzheimer’s disease”. Results: A total of 32 studies were analyzed, which indicated that curcumin supplementation reverses neurotoxic and behavioral damages in both in vivo and in vitro models of AD. Conclusion: The administration of curcumin in experimental models seems to be a promising approach in AD, even though it is suggested that additional studies must be conducted using distinct doses and through other routes of administration.

scholarly journals Relations between subjective well-being and Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Panage Moura ◽  
Amer Cavalheiro Hamdan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Subjective Well Being

ABSTRACT. Subjective Well-Being (SWB) is determined by the degree of satisfaction with one's own life and the intensity/frequency with which we experience negative and positive emotions. Current studies indicate that SWB is beneficial for health. Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the methodological quality of published articles on SWB in people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: The keywords “Well-Being” and “Alzheimer” were used. Inclusion criteria were a) articles with a sample of the elderly population; b) empirical articles; c) articles published between 2014 and 2019. Analysis of the selected articles was performed using the Downs and Black Checklist. Results: 13 articles were selected for further analysis. The results showed that only one of the articles reached a high methodological quality level. The other articles had an average level, ranging from 46% to 67%, of total protocol compliance. Conclusion: The studies analyzed had a medium level of methodological quality. It is important to improve the methodological quality of studies on SWB in people with AD.

Pharmacological Interventions to Attenuate Alzheimer’s Disease Progression: The Story So Far

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firas H. Bazzari ◽  
Dalaal M. Abdallah ◽  
Hanan S. El-Abhar
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Insulin Signalling ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Symptomatic Management ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Approach

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Up to date, the available pharmacological options for AD are limited to cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine that may only provide modest symptomatic management with no significance in slowing down the disease progression. Over the past three decades, the increased interest in and the understanding of AD major pathological hallmarks have provided an insight into the mechanisms mediating its pathogenesis, which in turn introduced a number of hypotheses and novel targets for the treatment of AD. Initially, targeting amyloid-beta and tau protein was considered the most promising therapeutic approach. However, further investigations have identified other major players, such as neuroinflammation, impaired insulin signalling and defective autophagy, that may contribute to the disease progression. While some promising drugs are currently being investigated in human studies, the majority of the previously developed medical agents have come to an end in clinical trials, as they have failed to illustrate any beneficial outcome. This review aims to discuss the different introduced approaches to alleviate AD progression; in addition, provides a comprehensive overview of the drugs in the development phase as well as their mode of action and an update of their status in clinical trials.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Single Chinese Herbs for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Min Fu ◽  
Ju-Tzu Li
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Senile Dementia ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Huperzine A ◽  
Chinese Herbs ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research

The objectives here are to provide a systematic review of the current evidence concerning the use of Chinese herbs in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to understand their mechanisms of action with respect to the pathophysiology of the disease. AD, characterized microscopically by deposition of amyloid plaques and formation of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, has become the most common cause of senile dementia. The limitations of western medications have led us to explore herbal medicine. In particular, many Chinese herbs have demonstrated some interesting therapeutic properties. The following databases were searched from their inception: MEDLINE (PUBMED), ALT HEALTH WATCH (EBSCO), CINAH and Cochrane Central. Only single Chinese herbs are included. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and performed quality assessment. The quality assessment of a clinical trial is based on theJadadcriteria. Seven Chinese herbs and six randomized controlled clinical trials were identified under the predefined criteria.Ginkgo biloba, Huperzine A (Lycopodium serratum) and Ginseng have been assessed for their clinical efficacy with limited favorable evidence. No serious adverse events were reported. Chinese herbs show promise in the treatment of AD in terms of their cognitive benefits and more importantly, their mechanisms of action that deal with the fundamental pathophysiology of the disease. However, the current evidence in support of their use is inconclusive or inadequate. Future research should place emphasis on herbs that can treat the root of the disease.

scholarly journals Impact of physical exercise on quality of life of older adults with depression or Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Boscarino Tavares ◽  
Helena Moraes ◽  
Andrea Camaz Deslandes ◽  
Jerson Laks
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Control Groups

INTRODUCTION: Physical exercise has been associated with improvement of quality of live (QoL), but its effect among the elderly with depression and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still unclear. This systematic review evaluated randomized and controlled studies about the effect of physical exercise on QoL of older individuals with a clinical diagnosis of depression and AD.METHODS:We searched PubMed, ISI, SciELO and Scopus from December 2011 to June 2013 using the following keywords: physical exercise, quality of life, elderly, depression, Alzheimer's disease. Only six studies met inclusion criteria: two examined patients with AD and four, patients with depression.RESULTS: The studies used different methods to prescribe exercise and evaluate QoL, but all had high quality methods. Findings of most studies with individuals with depression suggested that exercise training improved QoL, but studies with patients with AD had divergent results.CONCLUSIONS: Although different methods were used, results suggested that physical exercise is an effective non-pharmacological intervention to improve the QoL of elderly individuals with depression and AD. Future studies should investigate the effect of other factors, such as the use of specific scales for the elderly, controlled exercise prescriptions and type of control groups.

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