Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Abstract

: The rapid pattern of population ageing in recent years increases the risk of appearance of associated neurodegenerative diseases. Dementias are one of the most feared disorders, and although not necessarily all elderly people suffer from dementia, the number of people with this disease is increasing rapidly. The causes of dementia are multiple, and the diagnosis of the different types of dementia is complicated since most patients display mixed dementias, and symptoms overlapping. Personalized diagnosis and treatments would be desirable, but this requires a deep knowledge of each type of dementia where a multidisciplinary approach would be ideal. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarize the features of the main types of dementia as well as to compilate the more recent findings on this subject, ranging from genetic and molecular studies to animal models, including the use of omics platforms based on powerful hybrid instrumental techniques, and neuroimage techniques. On the other hand, we consider the aspects that can prevent these disorders and depend on modifiable factors, such as diet, among others. Finally, new technologies, such as nanotechnology, can provide novel strategies for the administration of effective treatments. In this regard, our purpose is to provide the most updated and complete overview of the state of the art characteristics of these disorders.

Virtual screening and in vitro experiments highlight cannabidiol as a drug‐like phosphodiesterase 9 inhibitor

“…Current treatments of these neurological conditions are mostly limited to symptoms management rather than providing a direct effect on the underlying biochemical mechanisms that trigger disease onset and progression. More specifically, pharmacological options for the treatment of AD, which is the most common form of dementia affecting elderly people, include acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine) and compounds targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, such as memantine (Marcos-Rabal et al, 2021;Zanforlin et al, 2017b). Moreover, gantenerumab, a monoclonal antibody that promotes amyloid plaque reductions, was recently approved for the treatment of AD (Salloway et al, 2021;Selkoe, 2021).…”

Investigating the Neuroprotective and Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Bacopa monnieri: A Systematic Review Focused on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Apoptosis

“…Dementia is one of the most feared neurological disorders, and the number of people with dementia is rapidly increasing. Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative condition defined by the high accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques in the brain, and Parkinson's disease, characterized mainly by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability, are conditions that the elderly face over time [15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

Molecular Mechanisms in the Design of Novel Targeted Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…Acute neuronal diseases include: traumatic brain injury, head injury, stroke, cerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage and ischemic brain injury. Chronic diseases, on the other hand, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Alexander disease (AxD), Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS), begin with a slow and progressive dysfunction of the nervous system, leading to cognitive, motor and/or sensory deterioration over time [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”