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  1. A novel rat model of Alzheimer's disease based on lentiviral-mediated expression of mutant APP
    Parsi S, Pandamooz S, Heidari S, Naji M, Morfini G, Ahmadiani A, et al.
    Neuroscience, 2015 Jan 22;284:99-106.
    PMID: 25270904 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.09.045
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive and irreversible cognitive and memory impairment. The discovery of familial forms of AD (fAD) in association with specific gene mutations facilitated the generation of numerous rodent models. These models in turn proved valuable for the study of molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis, and facilitated translational research and preclinical drug development. This study aimed to introduce a new rat model of AD simulating some aspects of the sporadic cases of disease.
  2. Blood compatibility of human amniotic membrane compared with heparin-coated ePTFE for vascular tissue engineering
    Kakavand M, Yazdanpanah G, Ahmadiani A, Niknejad H
    J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2017 06;11(6):1701-1709.
    PMID: 26190586 DOI: 10.1002/term.2064
    Amniotic membrane (AM), a placenta-derived natural biomaterial, has several characteristics which make it a potential substitute for blood vessels. However, there are no reports on the effects of the AM on blood components. The aim of this study was to evaluate the blood compatibility of the epithelial and mesenchymal surfaces of the amnion for potential use in vascular tissue engineering. The activation of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of the clotting system, haemolysis and platelet adhesion were studied and the results were compared with heparin-coated expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) as a standard synthetic vascular graft. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), clotting time (CT) and haemolysis (%) tests showed that both the epithelial and mesenchymal sides of the AM are haemocompatible. Platelet aggregation and P-selectin production from the platelets showed that the epithelial surface of the AM has less induction of platelet activation than ePTFE. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that platelets in contact with ePTFE had a higher rate of adhesion than with the epithelial and mesenchymal surfaces of the AM. Moreover, the morphological distribution of the platelets showed that the majority of platelets were round, while a large number of cells on ePTFE were dendritic. These results suggest that the AM which contains epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells has appropriate haemocompatibility to be employed in vascular tissue engineering, especially as a vein substitute. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
  3. Activation of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 by SEW2871 improves cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease model rats
    Asle-Rousta M, Oryan S, Ahmadiani A, Rahnema M
    EXCLI J, 2013;12:449-61.
    PMID: 26417237
    Sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) is involved in a variety of cellular processes via activation of S1P receptors (S1PRs; S1PR1 to S1PR5) that are highly expressed in the brain. It has been shown that the level of S1P is reduced in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. However, there is no study designed to evaluate the expression of S1PRs in AD brains. The objectives of the present work are (1) to examine the expression of S1PR1-3 in the hippocampus of beta amyloid (Aβ) 1-42 injected rats and (2) to clarify the effects of chronic S1PR1 activation on S1PR1-3 levels, spatial memory deficit and hippocampal damage in AD rats. SEW2871, the S1PR1 selective agonist, repeatedly was injected intraperitoneally during a period of two weeks. Upon Western Blot data bilateral intrahippocampal injection of Aβ1-42 decreased the expression of S1PR1 while increased S1PR2 level and did not affect that of S1PR3. We found that chronic administration of SEW2871 inhibited the reduction of S1PR1 expression and ameliorated spatial memory impairment in the Morris water maze task in rats. In addition, SEW2871 attenuated the Aβ1-42-induced hippocampal neuronal loss according to Nissl staining findings. Data in the current study highlights the importance of S1PR1 signaling pathway deregulation in AD development and suggests that activation of S1PR1 may represent a potential approach for developing new therapeutics to manage memory deficit and apoptosis associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.
  4. Lipopolysaccharide Pre-conditioning Attenuates Pro-inflammatory Responses and Promotes Cytoprotective Effect in Differentiated PC12 Cell Lines via Pre-activation of Toll-Like Receptor-4 Signaling Pathway Leading to the Inhibition of Caspase-3/Nuclear Factor-κappa B Pathway
    Sangaran PG, Ibrahim ZA, Chik Z, Mohamed Z, Ahmadiani A
    Front Cell Neurosci, 2020;14:598453.
    PMID: 33551748 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.598453
    Lipopolysacharide (LPS) pre-conditioning (PC), has been shown to exert protective effects against cytotoxic effects. Therefore, we hypothesized, the tolerance produced by LPS PC will be resulted by the alterations and modifications in gene and protein expression. With reference to the results of MTT assays, AO/PI staining, and Annexin V-FITC analyses of LPS concentration (0.7815-50 μg/mL) and time-dependent (12-72 h) experiments, the pre-exposure to 3 μg/mL LPS for 12 h protected the differentiated PC12 cells against 0.75 mg/mL LPS apoptotic concentration. LPS-treated cells secreted more inflammatory cytokines like IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α than LPS-PC cells. The production of inflammatory mediators ROS and NO was also higher in the LPS-induced cells compared to LPS-PC cells. Conversely, anti-inflammatory cytokines (like IL-10, IL-13, CNTF, and IL-1Ra) were upregulated in the LPS-PC cells but not in the LPS-induced cells. Meanwhile, the LPS initiated caspase-8 which in turn activates effector caspase 3/7. When the activities of caspases in the LPS-induced cells were inhibited using z-VADfmk and z-DEVDfmk, the expressions of c-MYC and Hsp70 were increased, but p53 was reduced. The potential molecules associated with protective and destructive effect was measured by RT2 Profiler PCR array to elucidate the signaling pathways and suggested inhibition NF-κB/caspase-3 signaling pathway regulates the cytoprotective genes and proto-oncogenes. In conclusion, this study provides a basis for future research to better understand the molecular mechanism underlying LPS pre-conditioning /TLR4 pre-activation and its functional role in offering cytoprotective response in neuronal environment.
  5. LPS Preconditioning Attenuates Apoptosis Mechanism by Inhibiting NF-κB and Caspase-3 Activity: TLR4 Pre-activation in the Signaling Pathway of LPS-Induced Neuroprotection
    Sangaran PG, Ibrahim ZA, Chik Z, Mohamed Z, Ahmadiani A
    Mol Neurobiol, 2021 May;58(5):2407-2422.
    PMID: 33421016 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02227-3
    Neuroinflammation, an inflammatory response within the nervous system, has been shown to be implicated in the progression of various neurodegenerative diseases. Recent in vivo studies showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preconditioning provides neuroprotection by activating Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), one of the members for pattern recognition receptor (PRR) family that play critical role in host response to tissue injury, infection, and inflammation. Pre-exposure to low dose of LPS could confer a protective state against cellular apoptosis following subsequent stimulation with LPS at higher concentration, suggesting a role for TLR4 pre-activation in the signaling pathway of LPS-induced neuroprotection. However, the precise molecular mechanism associated with this protective effect is not well understood. In this article, we provide an overall review of the current state of our knowledge about LPS preconditioning in attenuating apoptosis mechanism and conferring neuroprotection via TLR4 signaling pathway.
  6. Chronic Cold-Water-Induced Hypothermia Impairs Memory Retrieval and Nepeta menthoides as a Traditional "Hot" Herb Reverses the Impairment
    Ahmadian-Attar MM, Ahmadiani A, Kamalinejad M, Dargahi L, Mosaddegh M
    Iran J Pharm Res, 2014;13(Suppl):185-93.
    PMID: 24711845
    Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) describes a kind of dementia with similar signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It explains the pathology of dementia with cold intemperament of the brain, which means that the brain is colder than its healthy form. ITM strategy for treatment of dementia is to heat the brain up by medical "hot" herbs. Nepeta menthoides (NM) is one of these "hot" herbs. To evaluate the veracity of ITM concept about dementia and its treatment, we first try to examine if coldness of brain can make memory impairment. If so, can NM reverse memory impairment? Rats in cold-water-induced hypothermic (CWH) groups were immersed up to the neck in 3.5 °C water, for 5 min during 14 consecutive days. As a control, rats were forced to swim in warm water at the same conditions. To eliminate the impact of forced swimming stress, a group of intact rats was also added. After last swimming in day 14, some groups received drug (100 or 500 mg/ Kg aqueous extract of NM) or vehicle via i.p. injection. Learning and memory were assessed by Morris water maze, and tau hyperphosphorylation was measured by western blotting. The results showed that CWH impairs learning and memory and induces tau hyperphosphorylation. 100 mg/Kg of NM reversed memory impairment as well as tau hyperphosphorylation. ITM theory about the relationship between brain hypothermia and dementia is in accordance with our findings.
  7. Fulltext Treatment of Alzheimer's disease in Iranian traditional medicine
    Ahmadian-Attari MM, Ahmadiani A, Kamalinejad M, Dargahi L, Shirzad M, Mosaddegh M
    Iran Red Crescent Med J, 2015 Jan;17(1):e18052.
    PMID: 25763264 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.18052
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with a high prevalence in recent years. Dramatic growth in AD prevalence has increased the importance of more researches on AD treatment. History has shown that traditional medicine can be a source of inspiration to find new therapies.
  8. Fingolimod affects gene expression profile associated with LPS-induced memory impairment
    Omidbakhsh R, Rajabli B, Nasoohi S, Khallaghi B, Mohamed Z, Naidu M, et al.
    Exp Brain Res, 2014 Nov;232(11):3687-96.
    PMID: 25098558 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-014-4052-4
    Lipopolysaccharide is an endotoxin to induce sickness behavior in several animal models to explore the link between immune activation and cognition. Neuroinflammation playing a pivotal role in disease progress is evidently influenced by sphingosine-1-phosphate. As one of the sphingosine analogs in clinical use for multiple sclerosis, fingolimod (FTY720) was shown to substantially affect gene expression profile in the context of AD in our previous experiments. The present study was designed to evaluate the drug efficacy in the context of the mere inflammatory context leading to memory impairment. FTY720 was repeatedly administered for a few days before or after intracerebral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in rats. Animal's brains were then assigned to histological as well as multiplex mRNA assay following memory performance test. Both FTY720 pre-treatment and post-treatment were similarly capable of ameliorating LPS-induced memory impairment as assessed by passive avoidance test. Such amending effects may be partly accountable by the concomitant alterations in transcriptional levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases as well as inflammatory genes determined by QuantiGene Plex analysis. These findings confirming FTY720 application benefits suggest its efficacy may not differ significantly while considered either as a preventive or as a therapeutic approach against neuroinflammation.
  9. Preconditioning as a potential strategy for the prevention of Parkinson's disease
    Golpich M, Rahmani B, Mohamed Ibrahim N, Dargahi L, Mohamed Z, Raymond AA, et al.
    Mol Neurobiol, 2015 Feb;51(1):313-30.
    PMID: 24696268 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8689-6
    Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by the progressive and massive loss of dopaminergic neurons by neuronal apoptosis in the substantia nigra pars compacta and depletion of dopamine in the striatum, which lead to pathological and clinical abnormalities. A numerous of cellular processes including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates are considered to contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. A further understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of PD is crucial for developing effective diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic strategies to cure this devastating disorder. Preconditioning (PC) is assumed as a natural adaptive process whereby a subthreshold stimulus can promote protection against a subsequent lethal stimulus in the brain as well as in other tissues that affords robust brain tolerance facing neurodegenerative insults. Multiple lines of evidence have demonstrated that preconditioning as a possible neuroprotective technique may reduce the neural deficits associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as PD. Throughout the last few decades, a lot of efforts have been made to discover the molecular determinants involved in preconditioning-induced protective responses; although, the accurate mechanisms underlying this "tolerance" phenomenon are not fully understood in PD. In this review, we will summarize pathophysiology and current therapeutic approaches in PD and discuss about preconditioning in PD as a potential neuroprotective strategy. Also the role of gene reprogramming and mitochondrial biogenesis involved in the preconditioning-mediated neuroprotective events will be highlighted. Preconditioning may represent a promising therapeutic weapon to combat neurodegeneration.
  10. Crosstalk between insulin and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways in the central nervous system
    Hemmati F, Ghasemi R, Mohamed Ibrahim N, Dargahi L, Mohamed Z, Raymond AA, et al.
    Mol Neurobiol, 2014 Dec;50(3):797-810.
    PMID: 24464263 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8631-3
    Neuroinflammation is known as a key player in a variety of neurodegenerative and/or neurological diseases. Brain Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are leading elements in the initiation and progression of neuroinflammation and the development of different neuronal diseases. Furthermore, TLR activation is one of the most important elements in the induction of insulin resistance in different organs such as the central nervous system. Involvement of insulin signaling dysregulation and insulin resistance are also shown to contribute to the pathology of neurological diseases. Considering the important roles of TLRs in neuroinflammation and central insulin resistance and the effects of these processes in the initiation and progression of neurodegenerative and neurological diseases, here we are going to review current knowledge about the potential crosstalk between TLRs and insulin signaling pathways in neuroinflammatory disorders of the central nervous system.
  11. Neurorestorative effect of FTY720 in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease: comparison with memantine
    Hemmati F, Dargahi L, Nasoohi S, Omidbakhsh R, Mohamed Z, Chik Z, et al.
    Behav Brain Res, 2013 Sep 1;252:415-21.
    PMID: 23777795 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.06.016
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) as a neurodegenerative brain disorder is the most common cause of dementia. To date, there is no causative treatment for AD and there are few preventive treatments either. The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator FTY720 (fingolimod) prevents lymphocytes from contributing to an autoimmune reaction and has been approved for multiple sclerosis treatment. In concert with other studies showing the anti-inflammatory and protective effect of FTY720 in some neurodegenerative disorders like ischemia, we have recently shown that FTY720 chronic administration prevents from impairment of spatial learning and memory in AD rats. Here FTY720 was examined on AD rats in comparison to the only clinically approved NMDA receptor antagonist, Memantine. Passive avoidance task showed significant memory restoration in AD animals received FTY720 comparable to Memantine. Upon gene profiling by QuantiGene Plex, this behavioral outcomes was concurrent with considerable alterations in some genes transcripts like that of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and some inflammatory markers that may particularly account for the detected decline in hippocampal neural damage or memory impairment associated with AD. From a therapeutic standpoint, our findings conclude that FTY720 may suggest new opportunities for AD management probably based on several modulatory effects on genes involved in cell death or survival.
  12. Non-polyphenolic compounds of a specific kind of dried grape (Maviz) inhibit memory impairments induced by beta-amyloid peptide
    Bakhtiyari E, Ahmadian-Attari MM, Salehi P, Khallaghi B, Dargahi L, Mohamed Z, et al.
    Nutr Neurosci, 2017 Oct;20(8):469-477.
    PMID: 27219682 DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2016.1183986
    OBJECTIVES: Although grape has been recently the topic of many investigations, Maviz (a kind of dried one) has remained neglected. The aim of this study was to assess anti-Alzheimer activity of Maviz.

    METHODS: To reach this goal, total phenolic content (TPC) of ethanolic (Eth) and aqueous (Aq) extracts were determined and radical scavenging activity was assayed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Chemical compositions of each extract were also determined via GC-Mass. Behavioral changes were studied via passive avoidance and Morris water maze in Aβ-induced model of Alzheimer's disease. Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) determination were also done on rats' hippocampus.

    RESULTS: The results showed that seed Eth extract has a high level of TPC and radical scavenging activity. However, this extract had surprisingly no effect on memory and CAT and SOD activities. In contrast, fruit Aq and Eth extracts (containing furfurals as major compounds) inhibited memory impairment (P 

  13. Fulltext Brain Lipopolysaccharide Preconditioning-Induced Gene Reprogramming Mediates a Tolerance State in Electroconvulsive Shock Model of Epilepsy
    Amini E, Golpich M, Farjam AS, Kamalidehghan B, Mohamed Z, Ibrahim NM, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2018;9:416.
    PMID: 29765321 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00416
    There is increasing evidence pointing toward the role of inflammatory processes in epileptic seizures, and reciprocally, prolonged seizures induce more inflammation in the brain. In this regard, effective strategies to control epilepsy resulting from neuroinflammation could be targeted. Based on the available data, preconditioning (PC) with low dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through the regulation of the TLR4 signaling pathway provides neuroprotection against subsequent challenge with injury in the brain. To test this, we examined the effects of a single and chronic brain LPS PC, which is expected to lead to reduction of inflammation against epileptic seizures induced by electroconvulsive shock (ECS). A total of 60 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control, vehicle (single and chronic), and LPS PC (single and chronic). We first recorded the data regarding the behavioral and histological changes. We further investigated the alterations of gene and protein expression of important mediators in relation to TLR4 and inflammatory signaling pathways. Interestingly, significant increased presence of NFκB inhibitors [Src homology 2-containing inositol phosphatase-1 (SHIP1) and Toll interacting protein (TOLLIP)] was observed in LPS-preconditioned animals. This result was also associated with over-expression of IRF3 activity and anti-inflammatory markers, along with down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators. Summarizing, the analysis revealed that PC with LPS prior to seizure induction may have a neuroprotective effect possibly by reprogramming the signaling response to injury.
  14. Fulltext Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Biogenesis in Neurodegenerative diseases: Pathogenesis and Treatment
    Golpich M, Amini E, Mohamed Z, Azman Ali R, Mohamed Ibrahim N, Ahmadiani A
    CNS Neurosci Ther, 2017 Jan;23(1):5-22.
    PMID: 27873462 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12655
    Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders that are incurable and characterized by the progressive degeneration of the function and structure of the central nervous system (CNS) for reasons that are not yet understood. Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive death of nerve cells and loss of brain tissue. Because of their high energy requirements, neurons are especially vulnerable to injury and death from dysfunctional mitochondria. Widespread damage to mitochondria causes cells to die because they can no longer produce enough energy. Several lines of pathological and physiological evidence reveal that impaired mitochondrial function and dynamics play crucial roles in aging and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. As mitochondria are the major intracellular organelles that regulate both cell survival and death, they are highly considered as a potential target for pharmacological-based therapies. The purpose of this review was to present the current status of our knowledge and understanding of the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the importance of mitochondrial biogenesis as a potential novel therapeutic target for their treatment. Likewise, we highlight a concise overview of the key roles of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC.) complexes as well as mitochondrial biogenesis regulators regarding those diseases.
  15. A Molecular Approach to Epilepsy Management: from Current Therapeutic Methods to Preconditioning Efforts
    Amini E, Rezaei M, Mohamed Ibrahim N, Golpich M, Ghasemi R, Mohamed Z, et al.
    Mol Neurobiol, 2015 Aug;52(1):492-513.
    PMID: 25195699 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8876-5
    Epilepsy is the most common and chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. The key aim in treating patients with epilepsy is the suppression of seizures. An understanding of focal changes that are involved in epileptogenesis may therefore provide novel approaches for optimal treatment of the seizure. Although the actual pathogenesis of epilepsy is still uncertain, recently growing lines of evidence declare that microglia and astrocyte activation, oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondria dysfunction, and damage of blood-brain barrier (BBB) are involved in its pathogenesis. Impaired GABAergic function in the brain is probably the most accepted hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Clinical neuroimaging of patients and experimental modeling have demonstrated that seizures may induce neuronal apoptosis. Apoptosis signaling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of several types of epilepsy such as temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The quality of life of patients is seriously affected by treatment-related problems and also by unpredictability of epileptic seizures. Moreover, the available antiepileptic drugs (AED) are not significantly effective to prevent epileptogenesis. Thus, novel therapies that are proficient to control seizure in people who are suffering from epilepsy are needed. The preconditioning method promises to serve as an alternative therapeutic approach because this strategy has demonstrated the capability to curtail epileptogenesis. For this reason, understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying brain tolerance induced by preconditioning is crucial to delineate new neuroprotective ways against seizure damage and epileptogenesis. In this review, we summarize the work to date on the pathogenesis of epilepsy and discuss recent therapeutic strategies in the treatment of epilepsy. We will highlight that novel therapy targeting such as preconditioning process holds great promise. In addition, we will also highlight the role of gene reprogramming and mitochondrial biogenesis in the preconditioning-mediated neuroprotective events.
  16. Thyroid hormones: Possible roles in epilepsy pathology
    Tamijani SM, Karimi B, Amini E, Golpich M, Dargahi L, Ali RA, et al.
    Seizure, 2015 Sep;31:155-64.
    PMID: 26362394 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2015.07.021
    Thyroid hormones (THs) L-thyroxine and L-triiodothyronine, primarily known as metabolism regulators, are tyrosine-derived hormones produced by the thyroid gland. They play an essential role in normal central nervous system development and physiological function. By binding to nuclear receptors and modulating gene expression, THs influence neuronal migration, differentiation, myelination, synaptogenesis and neurogenesis in developing and adult brains. Any uncorrected THs supply deficiency in early life may result in irreversible neurological and motor deficits. The development and function of GABAergic neurons as well as glutamatergic transmission are also affected by THs. Though the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain unknown, the effects of THs on inhibitory and excitatory neurons may affect brain seizure activity. The enduring predisposition of the brain to generate epileptic seizures leads to a complex chronic brain disorder known as epilepsy. Pathologically, epilepsy may be accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and eventually dysregulation of excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission. Based on the latest evidence on the association between THs and epilepsy, we hypothesize that THs abnormalities may contribute to the pathogenesis of epilepsy. We also review gender differences and the presumed underlying mechanisms through which TH abnormalities may affect epilepsy here.
  17. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) signaling: Implications for Parkinson's disease
    Golpich M, Amini E, Hemmati F, Ibrahim NM, Rahmani B, Mohamed Z, et al.
    Pharmacol Res, 2015 Jul;97:16-26.
    PMID: 25829335 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2015.03.010
    Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) dysregulation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of numerous disorders, affecting the central nervous system (CNS) encompassing both neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Several lines of evidence have illustrated a key role of the GSK-3 and its cellular and molecular signaling cascades in the control of neuroinflammation. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β), one of the GSK-3 isomers, plays a major role in neuronal apoptosis and its inhibition decreases expression of alpha-Synuclein (α-Synuclein), which make this kinase an attractive therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by the progressive and massive loss of dopaminergic neurons by neuronal apoptosis in the substantia nigra pars compacta and depletion of dopamine in the striatum, which lead to pathological and clinical abnormalities. Thus, understanding the role of GSK-3β in PD will enhance our knowledge of the basic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of this disorder and facilitate the identification of new therapeutic avenues. In recent years, GSK-3β has been shown to play essential roles in modulating a variety of cellular functions, which have prompted efforts to develop GSK-3β inhibitors as therapeutics. In this review, we summarize GSK-3 signaling pathways and its association with neuroinflammation. Moreover, we highlight the interaction between GSK-3β and several cellular processes involved in the pathogenesis of PD, including the accumulation of α-Synuclein aggregates, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, we discuss about GSK-3β inhibitors as a potential therapeutic strategy in PD.
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