Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors in the prevention of neuronal cell death

Abstract

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase is a nucleic enzyme that promotes energy-dependent repair of DNA, thus helping to protect against DNA fragmentation. Overactivation of PARP, for example in the context of apoptosis, may contribute to neuronal cell death. This article briefly reviews claims for PARP inhibitors as agents for the prevention of neuronal cell death, registered in the period 1998 – December 2001. Biological data are sparse in these patents, few claims are backed by in vitro biochemical data and fewer still with in vivo animal model data. The latter have used animal models of ischaemia rather than of neurodegeneration. The place of PARP inhibitors as a clinical therapy to prevent neuronal cell death remains to be determined.

• Alzheimer’s disease
• apoptosis
• cerebrovascular disease
• Huntington’s disease
• ischaemia
• Parkinson’s disease
• poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)
• poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS)
• prion disease