p38 mitogen activated protein kinase as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease

The characteristic pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) include neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and inflammatory changes. Current therapies, such as molecules that target enhancing cholinergic activity, can improve cognitive function in the short term but, unfortunately, have no impact on progression of the disease. Although many molecular targets have been suggested to play a causative role in AD progression, clinical data demonstrating a link between the blockade of such targets and amelioration or halting of disease progression are lacking. Even so, there are many interesting candidate targets, and current research efforts in these areas promises to deliver a wealth of new possibilities for treating AD in the future. This brief review will focus on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase as a possible target for therapeutic intervention in AD.