HYBRID MOLECULES FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES: SYNTHESIS, PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND BRAIN DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Selective central nervous system drug development and delivery are some of the major challenges in medicinal chemistry. There is a high number of patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders worldwide and very low efficacy of the reduced arsenal of available treatments. Understanding some of the molecular changes associated to these ubiquitous and widespread diseases has stimulated efforts to develop drugs that specially interact with key targets.

Computer-assisted design and synthesis of potent small molecules,^[1-3] together with the development of new carriers (nanoparticles, conjugates),^[4] allows a wide range of possibilities for targeted therapies. Knowledge on biochemical processes brings the opportunity to provide treatments potentially less toxic and more effective than traditional therapeutic strategies. This presentation will provide different approaches and illustrate their successful implementation in the search for better treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords: Hybrid molecules, Neurodegenerative diseases, Drug delivery.