In vitro geroscience. Screening anti-aging drug combinations for neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

Geroscience is based on the concept that therapeutic approaches that work for aging will also work for age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Single drugs have been ineffective in treating AD, so it seems reasonable to consider using multiple drugs in combination (cocktails) for a more effective treatment approach. However, initial screening of drug cocktails in animal models is costly and time-consuming. The human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y has neuronal properties and can be stressed with chemicals or transfected with adeno-associated virus (AAV) Aβ and/or pTau vectors for an in vitro model of neurotoxicity. Drug cocktails can then be easily screened for intervention efficacy compared to each individual drug in the cocktail.

Keywords: Drug cocktails, anti-aging drugs, geroscience, neuroblastoma cell line, Alzheimer’s disease