The novel function of bexarotene for neurological diseases

Bexarotene, a retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist, is approved by FDA to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. However, it has also demonstrated promising therapeutic potential for neurological diseases such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and particularly Alzheimer's disease(AD). In AD, bexarotene inhibits the production and aggregation of amyloid ss (Ass), activates Liver X Receptor/RXR heterodimers to increase lipidated apolipoprotein E to remove Ass, mitigates the negative impact of Ass, regulates neuroinflammation, and ultimately improves cognitive function. For other neurological diseases, its mechanisms of action include inhibiting inflammatory responses, up-regulating microglial phagocytosis, and reducing misfolded protein ag-gregation, all of which aid in alleviating neurological damage. Here, we briefly discuss the characteristics, ap-plications, and adverse effects of bexarotene, summarize its pharmacological mechanisms and therapeutic results in various neurological diseases, and elaborate on the problems encountered in preclinical research, with the aim of providing help for the further application of bexarotene in central nervous system diseases.

Automated summary

Bexarotene is a RXR agonist approved for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma treatment. It also shows promising potential in neurological diseases such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and especially Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its mechanisms of action include inhibiting Ass production and aggregation, activating LXR/RXR heterodimers, regulating neuroinflammation, and ultimately improving cognitive function.