Nanomedicine for Neurodegenerative Disorders: Focus on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders involve the slow and gradual degeneration of axons and neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in abnormalities in cellular function and eventual cellular demise. Patients with these disorders succumb to the high medical costs and the disruption of their normal lives. Current therapeutics employed for treating these diseases are deemed palliative. Hence, a treatment strategy that targets the disease’s cause, not just the symptoms exhibited, is desired. The synergistic use of nanomedicine and gene therapy to effectively target the causative mutated gene/s in the CNS disease progression could provide the much-needed impetus in this battle against these diseases. This review focuses on Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, the gene/s and proteins responsible for the damage and death of neurons, and the importance of nanomedicine as a potential treatment strategy. Multiple genes were identified in this regard, each presenting with various mutations. Hence, genome-wide sequencing is essential for specific treatment in patients. While a cure is yet to be achieved, genomic studies form the basis for creating a highly efficacious nanotherapeutic that can eradicate these dreaded diseases. Thus, nanomedicine can lead the way in helping millions of people worldwide to eventually lead a better life.

UCHL1 and Proteasome in Blood Serum in Relation to Dietary Habits, Concentration of Selected Antioxidant Minerals and Total Antioxidant Status among Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Donepezil and rivastigmine are cholinesterase inhibitors, while memantine is the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor blocker [48]. In our study, we found no difference in UCHL1 levels in the rivastigmine and memantine groups compared to the memantine and donepezil groups.…”

Biogenic Synthesis of Silver-Core Selenium-Shell Nanoparticles Using Ocimum tenuiflorum L.: Response Surface Methodology-Based Optimization and Biological Activity

“…Thus, zeta potential, size, and polydispersity values of NPs must fall within prescribed limits. Although NPs smaller than 200 nm have the potential to traverse most biological barriers, those less than100 nm may be more likely to pass through barriers such as the blood-brain barrier [48]. In this study, the NP size from EM was below 50 nm, while that obtained from NTA was larger at 134 nm.…”

Angiopep-2-Modified Nanoparticles for Brain-Directed Delivery of Therapeutics: A Review

“…However, using these nucleic acids as medicine necessitates their association with biocompatible carriers to encapsulate, protect, and facilitate cellular entry at the correct site. This synergy created between gene therapy and nanomedicine may be a significant association that can benefit the treatment of various disorders [115]. Angiopep-2 has been appended to various nanostructures for the reliable transport of therapeutic nucleic acids.…”