Reduced Incidence of Dementia in Solid Organ Transplant Patients Treated with Calcineurin Inhibitors

Giulio Taglialatela, Cristiana Rastellini, Luca Cicalese

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

Experimental evidence suggests that the protein phosphatase calcineurin mediates the action of amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers, the most toxic amyloid species thought to drive initial cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there is currently no evidence that inhibition of calcineurin could prevent the onset of AD in humans. Here, we report for the first time that individuals chronically treated with calcineurin inhibitors to prevent solid organ transplant rejection have a significantly lower incidence of AD/dementia as compared to the general population. This result prompts further clinical development of calcineurin inhibition as a viable treatment for AD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)329-333
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume47
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 24 2015

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • FK506
  • calcineurin
  • dementia
  • solid organ transplant

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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