Unraveling Molecular and Genetic Insights into Neurodegenerative Diseases: Advances in Understanding Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's Diseases and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jun 28;24(13):10809. doi: 10.3390/ijms241310809.

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases are, according to recent studies, one of the main causes of disability and death worldwide. Interest in molecular genetics has started to experience exponential growth thanks to numerous advancements in technology, shifts in the understanding of the disease as a phenomenon, and the change in the perspective regarding gene editing and the advantages of this action. The aim of this paper is to analyze the newest approaches in genetics and molecular sciences regarding four of the most important neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We intend through this review to focus on the newest treatment, diagnosis, and predictions regarding this large group of diseases, in order to obtain a more accurate analysis and to identify the emerging signs that could lead to a better outcome in order to increase both the quality and the life span of the patient. Moreover, this review could provide evidence of future possible novel therapies that target the specific genes and that could be useful to be taken into consideration when the classical approaches fail to shed light.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Huntington’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; biomarkers; epigenetics; gene expression; molecular genetics; molecular pathology; neurodegenerative disease; therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / genetics
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease* / genetics
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases* / genetics
  • Parkinson Disease* / genetics

Grants and funding

The APC was funded by the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, through an internal project. The authors would like to express their gratitude to the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, which supported the APC.