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Volume 21, Issue 8
  • ISSN: 1567-2050
  • E-ISSN: 1875-5828

Abstract

Background

The lack of effective therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease demands both the search for new drugs and the reconsideration of already known substances currently used in other areas of medicine. offers the potential to model features of Alzheimer's disease, study disease mechanisms, and conduct drug screening.

Objectives

The purpose of this work was to analyze the neuroprotective properties of the drug “carnicetine”, which is an acetylated form of the natural low molecular weight compound L-carnitine. The drug is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and is currently used as a means of improving cellular metabolism.

Methods

Using tissue-specific drivers, direct expression of amyloid beta peptide (42 amino acids) was exhibited in certain groups of neurons in the brain, namely in dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons. The effect of acetyl-L-carnitine (carnicetine) on the death of these neurons and the memory of flies was analyzed.

Results

The expression of amyloid beta peptide in dopaminergic or cholinergic neurons resulted in neurodegeneration of cholinergic neurons in the brain and memory impairment. The use of carnicetine added to animal food made it possible to treat these disorders. At the same time, no effect on dopaminergic neurons was noted.

Conclusion

The data obtained confirmed the neuroprotective properties of the drug under study, demonstrating its participation in the restoration of the cholinergic system and the feasibility of using carnicetine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers
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2025-03-28

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Acetyl-L-Carnitine Aids in Preservation of Cholinergic Neurons and Memory in the Drosophila melanogaster Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Curr Alzheimer Res 21, 557 (2024); https://doi.org/10.2174/0115672050347906241203075930
/content/journals/car/10.2174/0115672050347906241203075930
/content/journals/car/10.2174/0115672050347906241203075930
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keyword(s): acetyl-L-carnitine (carnicetine); Alzheimer's disease; cholinergic neurons; Drosophila melanogaster; memory impairment; neurodegeneration

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