Novel Therapeutics for the Treatment of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases are a leading apprehension in underdeveloped and developed countries. The advancement of medical science is synonymous with an increase in life expectancy, which results in an aging population. Neurodegenerative diseases in the older population are on the rise globally. This review sums up the novel therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Although most neurodegenerative diseases occur due to the accumulation of misfolded proteins, the mechanisms are not completely understood. Currently, only prophylactic therapies are available and none are preventive in nature. The World Health Organisation estimates that neurodegenerative diseases that cause cognitive and motor impairments will be the second most ubiquitous cause of death in the next decade, hence the need for novel therapeutic targets for these diseases is demanded. In Alzheimer's, β-amyloid and tau proteinopathies are prevalent, whereas a prion-like increase of α- synuclein is the characteristic trait of Parkinson's disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s; Neurodegenerative disease; Parkinson’s; novel therapeutics; prophylactic; proteinopathies..