Pathophysiology in the comorbidity of Bipolar Disorder and Alzheimer's Disease: pharmacological and stem cell approaches

Author(s)

Correa-Velloso, Juliana C. ; Goncalves, Maria C. B. ; Naaldijk, Yahaira ; Oliveira-Giacomelli, Agatha ; Pillat, Micheli M. ; Ulrich, Henning

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PROGRESS IN NEURO-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY; v. 80, p. 20-pg., 2018-01-03.

Abstract

Neuropsychiatric disorders involve various pathological mechanisms, resulting in neurodegeneration and brain atrophy. Neurodevelopmental processes have shown to be critical for the progression of those disorders, which are based on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms as well as on extrinsic factors. We review here common mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of Bipolar Disorders and Alzheimer's Disease, such as aberrant neurogenesis and neurotoxicity, reporting current therapeutic approaches. The understanding of these mechanisms precedes stem cell-based strategies as a new therapeutic possibility for treatment and prevention of Bipolar and Alzheimer's Disease progression. Taking into account the difficulty of studying the molecular basis of disease progression directly in patients, we also discuss the importance of stem cells for effective drug screening, modeling and treating psychiatric diseases, once in vitro differentiation of patient-induced pluripotent stem cells provides relevant information about embryonic origins, intracellular pathways and molecular mechanisms. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/19478-3 - Role of kinin-B2 receptor in pathogenesis and progression of familial Alzheimer's Disease: from neurogenesis and immune response to cognition
• Grantee: Micheli Mainardi Pillat
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/14343-2 - Dental pulp derived mesenchymal stem cells and its conditioned medium: a novel therapeutic approach for ALS
• Grantee: Yahaira Maria Naaldijk Palma
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/50880-4 - Stem cells: from basic studies of kinin and purinergic receptor roles towards therapeutical applications
• Grantee: Alexander Henning Ulrich
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants