Potential therapeutic targets in the NF-kappaB pathway for Alzheimer's disease.

One characteristic of Alzheimer's disease is a deficit in new memory formation. Numerous studies and reviews have investigated targeting the CREB pathway for enhancing memory in diseases such as Alzheimer's. In addition, the possibility of targeting the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway for inflammatory conditions, which also play a role in Alzheimer's disease, has been investigated. Interestingly, recent data concerning NF-kappaB functioning indicates that the development of drugs targeting NF-kappaB regulation may prove beneficial for memory disorders. However, given the complexity of NF-kappaB functioning, the most important challenge remaining is whether to enhance or inhibit the activation NF-kappaB. Future studies undoubtedly will focus on selected targets and "optimal activation" levels during critical stages of specific disease pathologies. This short review summarizes past studies with CREB, describes NF-kappaB functioning and highlights new data on the potential role of NF-kappaB in new memory formation and Alzheimer's disease.