Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 48, Issue 3 , Pages 273-277, September 2009

Dual Action of Memantine in Alzheimer Disease: A Hypothesis

  • Tzong-Yuan Wu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli, Taiwan
    • R&D Center of Membrane Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr Tzong-Yuan Wu, Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, 200, Chung Pei Road, Chungli 32023, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Chih-Ping Chen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

Accepted 20 July 2009.

Article Outline

Summary 

Objective

In this study, we proposed a hypothesis to explain the mechanisms of memantine action in treating Alzheimer disease (AD). Memantine may reduce the expression of amyloid precursor protein and tau protein, as well as acting as an antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in the brain.

Results

Two neuropathologic characteristics of AD are neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The major molecular components of the plaques and tangles are amyloid-β peptide and tau, respectively. Drugs able to reduce the expression of amyloid-β and tau protein provide potential pharmaceutical treatments for AD. We found that memantine inhibited internal ribosome entry site-mediated translation initiation in COS-1 cells. This suggests that the memantine may not only inhibit neuronal excitotoxicity, but also act as an inhibitor of the internal ribosome entry site, to block the expression of amyloid precursor protein and tau in neurons.

Conclusion

Memantine may function not only as an antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, but also as an inhibitor of the internal ribosome entry site to block the expression of amyloid precursor protein and tau, and so ameliorate the symptoms of AD.

Key Words:  Alzheimer disease , amyloid-β peptide , internal ribosome entry site , memantine , N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors

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PII: S1028-4559(09)60303-X

doi:10.1016/S1028-4559(09)60303-X

Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 48, Issue 3 , Pages 273-277, September 2009

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