Protective Roles of Hydrogen Sulfide in Alzheimer's Disease and Traumatic Brain Injury

The gaseous signaling molecule hydrogen sulfide (H2S) critically modulates a plethora of physiological processes across evolutionary boundaries. These include responses to stress and other neuromodulatory effects that are typically dysregulated in aging, disease, and injury. H2S has a particularly prominent role in modulating neuronal health and survival under both normal and pathologic conditions. Although toxic and even fatal at very high concentrations, emerging evidence has also revealed a pronounced neuroprotective role for lower doses of endogenously generated or exogenously administered H2S. Unlike traditional neurotransmitters, H2S is a gas and, therefore, is unable to be stored in vesicles for targeted delivery. Instead, it exerts its physiologic effects through the persulfidation/sulfhydration of target proteins on reactive cysteine residues. Here, we review the latest discoveries on the neuroprotective roles of H2S in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and traumatic brain injury, which is one the greatest risk factors for AD.

Automated summary

The gaseous signaling molecule hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays a critical role in regulating various physiological processes, including stress responses and neuromodulatory effects that are often disrupted in aging, disease, and injury. H2S is particularly important for maintaining neuronal health and survival, both in normal and pathological conditions. It exerts its effects by modifying target proteins through persulfidation/sulfhydration of reactive cysteine residues. This article reviews the latest findings on the neuroprotective roles of H2S in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and traumatic brain injury, which is a major risk factor for AD.