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Table 1 Current treatments for Alzheimer's disease

From: Mitochondrial therapeutics in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease

Therapy

Results

Mitochondrial involvement?

Cholinesterase inhibitors

Improves AD symptoms and decreases markers of inflammation

May decrease nitric oxide produced, leading to decreased RNS and ROS

NMDA receptor antagonists

Improves AD symptoms and decreases ROS production

May decrease amount of ROS produced due to excessive intracellular Ca2+

Enhanced clearance of Aβ

May improve cognition

May decrease Aβ-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS generation

NSAIDs

No consistent results

May reduce inflammation and ROS

Antioxidants

No consistent results

Can reduce ROS

Herbal/Natural products

No consistent results

Potentially decreases Aβ, inflammation, and ROS generation

  1. Aβ, amyloid-beta; AD, Alzheimer's disease; NMDA, N-methyl-D-aspartate; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; RNS, reactive nitrogen species; ROS, reactive oxygen species.