Exploring Na+/K+-ATPase in astrocytes to uncover therapeutic insights into dementia pathophysiology

Abstract

Dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative syndrome which is characterised by cognitive decline, currently affects over 55 million people globally and is a major public health challenge. Recent research highlights the pivotal role of astrocytes in the instances of dementiarelated disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Among the various astrocytic ion channels, the sodium-potassium ATPase (Na⁺/K⁺– ATPase) is of particular interest due to its critical role in regulating ionic gradients, neurotransmitter uptake, and neuroprotection. This study investigates the direct interaction between amyloid-beta (Aβ), an important protein in AD pathology, and astrocytic NA⁺/K⁺–ATPase, and explores therapeutic strategies aimed at rescuing astrocyte function.