Summary

Neurodegeneration refers to the progressive loss of neuron structure or function, which may eventually lead to cell death. Many neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and prion disease, are the results of neurodegenerative processes. Neurodegeneration can be found in many different levels of neuronal circuits in the brain, from molecules to systems. Since there is no known method to reverse the progressive degeneration of neurons, these diseases are considered incurable. Biomedical research has revealed many similarities between these diseases at the subcellular level, including atypical protein assembly (such as protein diseases) and induction of cell death. These similarities indicate that progress in the treatment of one neurodegenerative disease may also improve other diseases. This collection of entries aims to collect various medical research results related to neurodegeneration. We invite researchers to share their new results and ideas related to neurodegeneration.

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Entries
Topic Review
Investigational Polymeric Microparticles for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive destruction of dopaminergic tissue in the central nervous system (CNS). There is no cure for the disease, with pharmacological treatments aimed at controlling the symptoms. Therefore, there is an unmet need for new treatments for PD. In addition to new therapeutic options, there exists the need for improved efficiency of the existing ones, as many agents have difficulties in crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to achieve therapeutic levels in the CNS or exhibit inappropriate pharmacokinetic profiles, thereby limiting their clinical benefits. To overcome these limitations, an interesting approach is the use of drug delivery systems, such as polymeric microparticles (MPs) that allow for the controlled release of the active ingredients targeting to the desired site of action, increasing the bioavailability and efficacy of treatments, as well as reducing the number of administrations and adverse effects.
  • 537
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists in Neuroinflammation for Dementia
Prolonged activation of pro-inflammatory responses in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) alters function of glial cells and in turn, further accelerates neuroinflammation. Subsequent synaptic dysfunction and loss of neurons are responsible for clinical symptoms of the disease. Additionally, factors such as insufficient sleep length and subsequent reduction in amyloid clearance via the glymphatic system lead to amyloid accumulation, while simultaneously aggravating systemic inflammatory response. Inflammation in vascular dementia (VaD) contributes to the three-hit hypothesis, along with hypertension and hypoxia. Vasculitis is responsible for restricted blood circulation in microvessels and leads to decreased oxygen supply and regional glial activation favoring neuroinflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). Peripheral immune response and increased cytokine production, including an early surge in TNF and IL-1β concentrations activate glia, leading to aggravation of neuroinflammation and dysfunction of neurons during COVID-19. Lifestyle factors, such as diet, have a large impact on future cognitive outcomes and should be included as a crucial intervention in dementia prevention.
  • 325
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Lactobacillus as Probiotics against Different Health Issues
Probiotics are microorganisms involved in the growth and development of other microorganisms, derived from a Greek word meaning "for life". The well-accepted definition of probiotics was given by Fuller, according to which "Probiotics are live microbial feed supplements which beneficially affect the host animal by improving microbial balance" . WHO redefines the term as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host". The concept of probiotics was introduced by Elie Metchnikoff in 1907. He introduced the idea that food microbes can modify the normal flora of the human body and that replacement of harmful microbes with beneficial microbes is possible. Based on this concept, the term “probiotics” was defined in different ways. The term probiotic was first used by Lilly and Stillwell in 1960. In 1857, Pasteur discovered the first bacteria that were lactic acid-producing. Then in 1878, Lister also separated and recognized these lactic acid bacteria. In 1889, Henry Tissier discovered Bifidobacterium and also found that these bacteria could be used to treat acute gastroenteritis caused by an imbalance of harmful microorganisms. The idea that probiotics could be friendly and used to treat certain intestinal diseases was also reported and presented by Tissier, in 1906. The most widely used microorganism as probiotics is Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces boulardii. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are Gram-positive rods that are obligated facultative anaerobes and S.boulardii is a yeast.
  • 465
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Tremor in Parkinson’s Disease with Mechanical Devices
Parkinsonian tremors are sometimes confused with essential tremors or other conditions. Researchers conducted several studies on tremor evaluation using wearable sensors and devices, which may support an accurate diagnosis. Mechanical devices are also commonly used to treat tremors and have been actively researched and developed. Mechanical devices for tremor suppression include deep brain stimulation (DBS), electrical muscle stimulation, and orthosis. Adaptive DBS and optimization of stimulation parameters have been studied to improve treatment efficacy further. Due to developments using state-of-the-art techniques, effectiveness in diagnosing, evaluating, and suppressing tremors using these devices is satisfactorily high in many studies.
  • 642
  • 09 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Three Members of the Synuclein Family
Synucleins are a family of small aggregation-prone proteins consisting of three members, alpha, beta and gamma-synuclein. Alpha-synuclein is the most investigated member of the family due to its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases called synucleinopatjies. Synucleins easily change their conformation and may be converted to toxic aggregates. They are in the focus of attention of biochemists, molecular and cellular biologists who try to reveal their normal functions and role  in diseaases.  
  • 422
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Antioxidant Intervention and Aging Brain
Both physiological and pathological aging processes induce brain alterations especially affecting the speed of processing, working memory, conceptual reasoning and executive functions. As aging is partly contributed by free radical reactions, it has been proposed that exogenous antioxidants could have a positive impact on both aging and its associated manifestations.
  • 394
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Phospholipid Subclasses and Their Biological Functions
Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of disorders characterised by progressive loss of brain function. The most common of these is Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia. Intake of macro- and micro-nutrients impacts brain function, including memory, learning, mood, and behaviour. Lipids, particularly phospholipids and sphingolipids, are crucial structural components of neural tissues and significantly affect cognitive function. Lipids, therefore, may be able to modify the onset and progression of neurodegeneration.
  • 535
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Mechanisms of α-Syn Aggregation In Vitro
The aggregation of proteins into amyloid fibers is linked to more than forty still incurable cellular and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple system atrophy, Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes, among others. The process of amyloid formation is a main feature of cell degeneration and disease pathogenesis. Despite being methodologically challenging, a complete understanding of the molecular mechanism of aggregation, especially in the early stages, is essential to find new biological targets for innovative therapies. Here, chemical and biophysical methodologies that provided insights on Alpha-synuclein aggregation that would help to investigate other less-known aggregation-prone peptides and proteins were presented.
  • 659
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Quercetin against Neurodegenerative Diseases Progression
Berries are well-known fruits for their antioxidant effects due to their high content of flavonoids, and quercetin is one of the potent bioactive flavonoids. Although oxidative stress is an inevitable outcome in cells due to energy uptake and metabolism and other factors, excessive oxidative stress is considered a pivotal mediator for the cell death and leads to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Furthermore, oxidative stress triggers inflammation that leads to neuronal cell loss. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and so on are the main neurodegenerative diseases.
  • 490
  • 29 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Microglia Activation and Noradrenergic System
The nervous system requires immune cells to fight foreign body invasion including the pathogenic infection. This function is accomplished by microglia, which also play many other roles in the central nervous system including elimination of apoptotic cells, synaptic pruning, supporting neuronal survival, clearing debris, etc. Under healthy conditions, cyto-morphologically, microglia possess long thin processes and a small cell body, useful for debris clearance. However, upon exposure to inflammation, it becomes “activated” to function as immune cells of the central nervous system and develop short, thick processes and a larger cell body. They phagocytose the pathogens, release inflammatory mediators, and regulate T-cell activity. A variety of neurotransmitter receptors are expressed on the microglia which facilitate bidirectional communication between neurons and microglia. It has been shown that withdrawal of noradrenaline (NA) is a necessity for generation of rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). It has been proposed that REMS has evolved to maintain NA level in the brain. Further, NA exerts neuromodulatory action on microglia and facilitates immune function of the brain. Thus, REMS modulates immune functions of the brain.
  • 741
  • 29 Dec 2022
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