Chapter 9: Post-translational Modifications and Alzheimer's Disease Check Access

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder and contributes to the majority of dementia cases worldwide. The actual pathological symptoms are thought to begin decades before the noticeable disease indications, eventually destroying the memory and brain functions of the patients. Some of the methods adopted for the diagnosis of AD include assessment of clinical symptoms and detection of biomarkers in the CSF and brain by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), mass spectrometry, and immunofluorescence techniques. For treatment, the currently available drugs offer temporary and symptomatic relief, while failing to directly address the disease mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of AD. Given the progressive nature of the disease and its impact on public health and the economy, promising novel biomarkers and drug targets need to be identified to facilitate early detection and effective therapeutics, respectively. In this context, post-translational modifications (PTMs) play a crucial role in the complex neurodegenerative mechanisms of AD and understanding their interplay leads to the identification of aberrant PTMs of proteins that contribute to disease development and progression. The consolidated array of PTMs of proteins related to AD is discussed in this chapter. The accurate detection of PTMs and their signature aid early and precise diagnosis and interventions capable of modifying the underlying disease mechanisms for developing therapeutics.