PMID: 20626335Jul 16, 2010Paper

Is elevated norepinephrine an etiological factor in some cases of Alzheimer's disease?

Current Alzheimer Research
Paul J Fitzgerald

Abstract

Loss of norepinephrine (NE) releasing neurons, in the locus coeruleus of the brainstem, is well documented to occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, this process does not necessarily result in decreased release of NE, since compensatory mechanisms may produce increased release of this neurotransmitter. Independent of potential loss of locus coeruleus cells, brain NE levels may be elevated in some persons with AD, both before and during disease progression. Here I examine evidence that elevated, endogenous brain NE is an etiological factor in some cases of AD, and not merely an epiphenomenon of the disease. To explore this etiological hypothesis in AD, I examine the following eight lines of evidence: 1) direct evidence of elevated NE or its metabolites in AD; 2) studies of tricyclic antidepressants, which may principally boost NE; 3) studies of clonidine and other alpha2 adrenergic agonist drugs, which may principally lower the concentration of NE; 4) studies of beta adrenoceptor blocking drugs, including propranolol; 5) comorbidity of AD and bipolar disorder, where both disorders may involve elevated NE; 6) comorbidity of AD and hypertension; 7) comorbidity of AD and obesity; and 8) potential interaction between AD and psy...Continue Reading

Citations

Aug 24, 2019·Alzheimer's & Dementia : Translational Research & Clinical Interventions·Natalie Eleanor NicodemusSheldon Jordan
Jul 11, 2014·Frontiers in Pharmacology·Rafael Franco, Angel Cedazo-Minguez
Jul 20, 2016·European Journal of Neurology : the Official Journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies·K Fluegge
Nov 19, 2014·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Yunjia ChenQin Wang
Oct 2, 2014·Autonomic & Autacoid Pharmacology·P J Fitzgerald
Nov 7, 2019·Journal of Neuroinflammation·Song CaoHongxin Dong
Aug 17, 2016·European Journal of Neurology : the Official Journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies·A Golimstok
Oct 8, 2020·Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience·Xiongfeng PanAizhong Liu
Jan 27, 2021·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Francesco Fornai, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
May 31, 2021·Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery·Paul J Fitzgerald
Jul 25, 2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Paul J Fitzgerald

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