Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disease. It is the most common cause of dementia worldwide.
Although not fully understood, the pathophysiology of AD is largely represented by the neurotoxic events triggered by the beta-amyloid (AD) and by cytoskeletal abnormalities subsequent to the hyperphosphorylation of microtubule-associated tau protein in neurons. These processes lead respectively to the formation of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
These structures in the brain are the pathological hallmarks of the disease. Clinical benefits of the available pharmacological treatment for AD with antidementia drugs (namely cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine) are unquestionable, but are limited to a temporary, symptomatic support to cognitive and related functions.
Therefore still looking for a suitable drug AD, which would prevent the formation of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles before brain damage irreversible manner. Promising results are provided by studies with phenothiazine dye known as methylene blue.
MB was identified as an inhibitor of tau protein aggregation and has also been shown to reduce AD oligomer levels. MB has been tested in clinical trials under the trade name Rember.