Calcium ions are crucial in the process of information transmission and integration in the central nervous system (CNS). These
ions participate not only in intracellular mechanisms but also in intercellular processes. The changes in the concentration of Ca2 +
ions modulate synaptic transmission, whereas neuronal activity induces
calcium ion waves. Disturbed
calcium homeostasis is thought to be one of the main features in the pathophysiology of
Alzheimer's disease (AD), and AD pathogenesis is closely connected to Ca2 + signaling pathways. The effects of changes in neuronal Ca2 + are mediated by neuronal
calcium sensor (NCS)
proteins. It has been revealed that NCS
proteins, with special attention to
visinin-like protein 1 (VILIP-1), might have a connection to the etiology of AD. In the CNS, VILIP-1 influences the intracellular neuronal signaling pathways involved in synaptic plasticity, such as
cyclic nucleotide cascades and nicotinergic signaling. This particular
protein is implicated in
calcium-mediated neuronal injury as well. VILIP-1 also participates in the pathological mechanisms of altered Ca2 + homeostasis, leading to neuronal loss. These findings confirm the utility of VILIP-1 as a useful
biomarker of neuronal injury. Moreover, VILIP-1 plays a vital role in linking
calcium-mediated neurotoxicity and AD-type pathological changes. The disruption of Ca2 + homeostasis caused by AD-type neurodegeneration may result in the damage of VILIP-1-containing neurons in the brain, leading to increased cerebrospinal fluid levels of VILIP-1. Thus, the aim of this overview is to describe the relationships of the NCS
protein VILIP-1 with the pathogenetic factors of AD and neurodegenerative processes, as well as its potential clinical usefulness as a
biomarker of AD. Moreover, we describe the current and probable therapeutic strategies for AD, targeting calcium-signaling pathways and VILIP-1.