Beyond antidepressant effects: New roles for imipramine in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), exhibits considerable therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through multifaceted mechanisms, including neurotransmitter modulation, activation of neurotrophic pathways, inhibition of neuroinflammation, and enhancement of mitochondrial function. This review, analyzing over ۷۴ preclinical and clinical studies, examines the role of imipramine in modulating neurological pathologies and discusses current challenges and innovative strategies. Recent findings indicate that imipramine can significantly improve cognitive performance and reduce neuronal damage, positioning it as a promising repurposed therapeutic option for the near future. Recent research has also confirmed novel mechanisms such as GSK۳ẞ inhibition and therapeutic optimization via nanoformulations.

کلیدواژه ها:

Imipramine ، neurodegenerative diseases ، tricyclic antidepressants ، movement disorders ، neurotrophic factors ، oxidative stress