Role of GSK-3β Inhibitors: New Promises and Opportunities for Alzheimer's Disease

Glycogen synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3) was discovered to be a multifunctional enzyme involved in a wide variety of biological processes, including early embryo formation, oncogenesis, as well cell death in neurodegenerative diseases. Several critical cellular processes in the brain are regulated by the GSK-3β, serving as a central switch in the signaling pathways. Dysregulation of GSK-3β kinase has been reported in diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, inflammation, and Huntington's disease. Thus, GSK-3β is widely regarded as a promising target for therapeutic use. The current review article focuses mainly on Alzheimer's disease, an age-related neurodegenerative brain disorder. GSK-3β activation increases amyloid-beta (Aβ) and the development of neurofibrillary tangles that are involved in the disruption of material transport between axons and dendrites. The drug-binding allosteric GSK-3β inhibitors and discussed their futuristic opportunities as anti-Alzheimer's compounds.