Targeting New Candidate Genes by Small Molecules Approaching Neurodegenerative Diseases

Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Dec 25;17(1):26. doi: 10.3390/ijms17010026.

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are among the most feared of the disorders that afflict humankind for the lack of specific diagnostic tests and effective treatments. Understanding the molecular, cellular, biochemical changes of NDs may hold therapeutic promise against debilitating central nerve system (CNS) disorders. In the present review, we summarized the clinical presentations and biology backgrounds of NDs, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and explored the role of molecular mechanisms, including dys-regulation of epigenetic control mechanisms, Ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated protein kinase (ATM), and neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of NDs. Targeting these mechanisms may hold therapeutic promise against these devastating diseases.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease (AD); Ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated protein kinase (ATM); Huntington’s disease (HD); Parkinson’s disease (PD); epigenetics; neurodegenerative diseases (NDs); neuroinflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Small Molecule Libraries / chemistry
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Small Molecule Libraries