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Review
. 2024 Aug 20;12(8):1899.
doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12081899.

Dendrimers-Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Alzheimer's Disease

Affiliations
Review

Dendrimers-Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Alzheimer's Disease

Magdalena Mroziak et al. Biomedicines. .

Abstract

Dendrimers are covalently bonded globular nanostructures that may be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nowadays, AD therapies are focused on improving cognitive functioning and not causal treatment. However, this may change with the use of dendrimers, which are being investigated as a drug-delivery system or as a drug per se. With their ability to inhibit amyloid formation and their anti-tau properties, they are a promising therapeutic option for AD patients. Studies have shown that dendrimers may inhibit amyloid formation in at least two ways: by blocking fibril growth and by breaking already existing fibrils. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are abnormal filaments built by tau proteins that can be accumulated in the cell, which leads to the loss of cytoskeletal microtubules and tubulin-associated proteins. Cationic phosphorus dendrimers, with their anti-tau properties, can induce the aggregation of tau into amorphous structures. Drug delivery to mitochondria is difficult due to poor transport across biological barriers, such as the inner mitochondrial membrane, which is highly negatively polarized. Dendrimers may be potential nanocarriers and increase mitochondria targeting. Another considered use of dendrimers in AD treatment is as a drug-delivery system, for example, carbamazepine (CBZ) or tacrine. They can also be used to transport siRNA into neuronal tissue and to carry antioxidants and anti-inflammatory drugs to act protectively on the nervous system.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; dendrimers; drug-delivery system; neurodegeneration.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Structure of a dendrimer.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of potential intracellular organelles targeted by dendrimers. Partially adapted from [66].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Dendrimer structure and its influence on neuron cell.

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Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.

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