Future perspectives of pharmacological treatment for Alzheimer's disease: an integrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55892/jrg.v8i18.2025Keywords:
Alzheimer’s disease, Innovation, Therapeutic approachesAbstract
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative conditions of the Central Nervous System (CNS), characterized by the abnormal accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, leading to neuronal degeneration and the progressive impairment of cognitive functions. This process manifests as memory difficulties, trouble recognizing people and places, as well as impairments in performing daily activities. With an estimated 150 million people expected to be affected by 2050, AD represents a growing public health challenge in Brazil and worldwide. In light of this scenario, this study aims to understand the effectiveness of new therapeutic approaches for AD by evaluating their impact on the disease’s pathophysiological mechanisms. To this end, an integrative literature review was conducted, analyzing 38 articles published between 2020 and 2025, selected from the Scientific Library Online (Scielo), PubMed, and the Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases. The analyzed data indicate that AD patients present a deficit of acetylcholine and its receptors, justifying the use of cholinesterase inhibitors such as Rivastigmine, Donepezil, and Galantamine to prolong the half-life of this neurotransmitter. However, new therapies are emerging as promising alternatives, focusing on different pathophysiological aspects of AD. Among these approaches are anti-amyloid, anti-tau, anti-neuroinflammatory, and genetic therapies, such as those associated with apolipoprotein E (APOE). These innovative strategies are essential for patients who do not respond adequately to conventional treatments, highlighting the need for further research and the expansion of therapeutic possibilities to slow disease progression.
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