Abstract
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exert anti -inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities and are involved in the suppression of prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX), a prostaglandin synthesizing enzyme. It has been recently revealed that NSAIDs also possess inhibitory effects on the generating system of nitric oxide radicals and modulating effects on transcription factors and nuclear receptors which are related to inflammatory reactions. Since it has been reported that inflammatory processes are associated with the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases and that NSAIDs inhibit amyloid β-protein-induced neurotoxicity to reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease, a number of studies have been conducted focusing on the neuroprotective effects of NSAIDs. It has been clarified that the drugs exert neuroprotective effects, which are not related to their COX-inhibiting property, on pathophysiology of various neurological disorders. In this article, new aspects of neuroprotective effects of NSAIDs have been reviewed, especially, in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, discussing various pharmacological effects of NSAIDs other than their inhibitory action on COX.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 111-119 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Japanese Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2003 |
Keywords
- Alzheimer's disease
- Inflammation
- Neuroprotection
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Parkinson's disease
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Pharmacology (medical)
