TY - JOUR
T1 - Multiple beneficial effects of melanocortin MC4 receptor agonists in experimental neurodegenerative disorders
T2 - Therapeutic perspectives
AU - Giuliani, Daniela
AU - Ottani, Alessandra
AU - Neri, Laura
AU - Zaffe, Davide
AU - Grieco, Paolo
AU - Jochem, Jerzy
AU - Cavallini, Gian Maria
AU - Catania, Anna
AU - Guarini, Salvatore
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - Melanocortin peptides induce neuroprotection in acute and chronic experimental neurodegenerative conditions. Melanocortins likewise counteract systemic responses to brain injuries. Furthermore, they promote neurogenesis by activating critical signaling pathways. Melanocortin-induced long-lasting improvement in synaptic activity and neurological performance, including learning and memory, sensory-motor orientation and coordinated limb use, has been consistently observed in experimental models of acute and chronic neurodegeneration. Evidence indicates that the neuroprotective and neurogenic effects of melanocortins, as well as the protection against systemic responses to a brain injury, are mediated by brain melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptors, through an involvement of the vagus nerve. Here we discuss the targets and mechanisms underlying the multiple beneficial effects recently observed in animal models of neurodegeneration. We comment on the potential clinical usefulness of melanocortin MC4 receptor agonists as neuroprotective and neuroregenerative agents in ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and Alzheimer's disease.
AB - Melanocortin peptides induce neuroprotection in acute and chronic experimental neurodegenerative conditions. Melanocortins likewise counteract systemic responses to brain injuries. Furthermore, they promote neurogenesis by activating critical signaling pathways. Melanocortin-induced long-lasting improvement in synaptic activity and neurological performance, including learning and memory, sensory-motor orientation and coordinated limb use, has been consistently observed in experimental models of acute and chronic neurodegeneration. Evidence indicates that the neuroprotective and neurogenic effects of melanocortins, as well as the protection against systemic responses to a brain injury, are mediated by brain melanocortin 4 (MC4) receptors, through an involvement of the vagus nerve. Here we discuss the targets and mechanisms underlying the multiple beneficial effects recently observed in animal models of neurodegeneration. We comment on the potential clinical usefulness of melanocortin MC4 receptor agonists as neuroprotective and neuroregenerative agents in ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and Alzheimer's disease.
KW - Functional recovery
KW - Melanocortin receptor agonists
KW - Neurodegenerative diseases
KW - Neurogenesis
KW - Neuroprotection
KW - Pathophysiological mechanisms
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85007587047&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85007587047&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.11.004
DO - 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.11.004
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85007587047
VL - 148
SP - 40
EP - 56
JO - Progress in Neurobiology
JF - Progress in Neurobiology
SN - 0301-0082
ER -