Chimeric Conjugates for Alzheimer’s Disease

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder with a multifactorial etiology. More than one mechanism appears to be involved in its pathogenesis. Current treatment targeting only a single mechanism provides only symptomatic relief and is unable to stop the progression of the disease. There is a substantial unmet medical need to develop more efficacious drugs that can address all the causative factors that lead to the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the strategies which has emerged is the development of chimeric conjugate compounds, in which multiple bioactive components are combined to form novel molecular entities, that can simultaneously regulate multiple mechanisms effectively. This chapter presents an overview of the various factors contributing to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Chimeric strategies that are being developed to supplement the single-mechanism targeting acetylcholinesterase drugs, which are currently available for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, are also exemplified.