摘要
Neurodegenerative disorders affect more than 30 million individuals throughout the world and lead to significant disability as well as death. These statistics will increase almost exponentially as the lifespan and age of individuals increase globally and individuals become more susceptible to acute disorders such as stroke as well as chronic diseases that involve cognitive loss, Alzheimer＇s disease, and Parkinson＇s disease. Current therapies for such disorders are effective only for a small subset of individuals or provide symptomatic relief but do not alter disease progression. One exciting therapeutic approach that may turn the tide for addressing neurodegenerative disorders involves the mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. mTOR is a component of the protein complexes roTOR Complex 1 （mTORC1） and mTOR Complex 2 （mTORC2） that are ubiquitous throughout the body and control multiple functions such as gene transcription, metabolism, cell survival, and cell senescence, roTOR through its relationship with phosphoinositide 3-kinas e （PI 3-K） and protein kinase B （Akt） and multiple downstream signaling pathways such as p70 ribosomal $6 kinase （p70S6K） and proline rich Akt substrate 40 kDa （PRAS40） promotes neuro- nal cell regeneration through stem cell renewal and oversees critical pathways such as apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis to foster protection against neurodegenerative disorders. Targeting by mTOR of specific pathways that drive long-term potentiation, synaptic plasticity, and [3-amyl old toxicity may offer new strategies for disorders such as stroke and Alzheimer＇s disease. Overall, mTOR is an essential neuroprotective pathway but must be carefully targeted to maximize clini- cal efficacy and eliminate any clinical toxic side effects.
Neurodegenerative disorders affect more than 30 million individuals throughout the world and lead to significant disability as well as death. These statistics will increase almost exponentially as the lifespan and age of individuals increase globally and individuals become more susceptible to acute disorders such as stroke as well as chronic diseases that involve cognitive loss, Alzheimer＇s disease, and Parkinson＇s disease. Current therapies for such disorders are effective only for a small subset of individuals or provide symptomatic relief but do not alter disease progression. One exciting therapeutic approach that may turn the tide for addressing neurodegenerative disorders involves the mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. mTOR is a component of the protein complexes roTOR Complex 1 （mTORC1） and mTOR Complex 2 （mTORC2） that are ubiquitous throughout the body and control multiple functions such as gene transcription, metabolism, cell survival, and cell senescence, roTOR through its relationship with phosphoinositide 3-kinas e （PI 3-K） and protein kinase B （Akt） and multiple downstream signaling pathways such as p70 ribosomal $6 kinase （p70S6K） and proline rich Akt substrate 40 kDa （PRAS40） promotes neuro- nal cell regeneration through stem cell renewal and oversees critical pathways such as apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis to foster protection against neurodegenerative disorders. Targeting by mTOR of specific pathways that drive long-term potentiation, synaptic plasticity, and [3-amyl old toxicity may offer new strategies for disorders such as stroke and Alzheimer＇s disease. Overall, mTOR is an essential neuroprotective pathway but must be carefully targeted to maximize clini- cal efficacy and eliminate any clinical toxic side effects.
基金
supported by the following grants to Kenneth Maiese:American DiabetesAssociation,American Heart Association(National),Bugher Foundation Award,Janssen Neuroscience Award,LEARN Foundation Award,NIH NIEHS,NIH NIA,NIH NINDS,and NIH ARRA
