Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 21, Issue 11, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the SARS-CoV-2 into the main target of scientific research all around the world. Many advances have already been made, but there is still a long way to go to solve the molecular mechanisms related to the process of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the particularities of the disease, its course and the complex host-pathogen relationships. However, a lot has been theorized and associated Read More

Background: Schizophrenia is a complex disease with a putative genetic background. It was hypothesized that impaired mitochondrial function due to genetic alterations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) could contribute to neurological conditions, including mental disorders. The aim of the study was to find out possible pathogenic mutations and/or variants in mtDNA potentially related to schizophrenia development. Objective: Th Read More

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Bipolar Disorder (BD) have a high prevalence and detrimental socio-economic consequences for the patients and the community. Furthermore, the depressive symptomatology of both disorders is essentially identical, thus rendering the clinical differential diagnosis between the two significantly more difficult considering the concomitant lack of objective biomarkers. Mood disorders are mult Read More

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are a superfamily of well-recognized ligand-binding nuclear receptors comprising three isoforms: PPARα, PPARγ, and PPARβ/δ. In response to endogenous lipid messengers, PPARs trigger the transcription of genes related to a wider spectrum of physiological phenomena, including fatty acid oxidation, inflammation, adipogenesis, among many others. Thus, the import Read More

Background: There is increasing evidence regarding the influence of the intestinal microbiota on the disease processes of various organs and systems. Dysbiosis, that is, alteration of the composition and function of the microbiota may constitute an important risk factor for the development of mental disorders, namely, schizophrenia. Objective: This works aims to review current evidence regarding the pathological mechanis Read More

Background: Although Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is considered a heterogeneous neurological disease in childhood, a growing body of evidence associates it with mitochondrial dysfunction explaining the observed comorbidities. Introduction: The aim of this study is to identify variations in cellular bioenergetics and metabolism dependent on mitochondrial function in ASD patients and healthy controls using Peri Read More

Neurodegenerative diseases are complex disorders that cause neuron loss, brain aging and ultimately lead to death. These diseases are difficult to treat because of the complex nature of the nervous system, and the available medicines are unable to heal them effectively. This fact implies the need for novel therapeutics to be designed that are ready to stop or a minimum of retard the neurodegeneration process. These days, Read More