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
Micro- and Nanosized Carriers for Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery
The intranasal route of drug administration offers numerous advantages, such as bypassing the intestine, avoiding first-pass metabolism, and reducing systemic side effects. Moreover, it circumvents the BBB, providing direct entrance to the brain through the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways.  Micro- and nanotechnological approaches were widely used to overcome these limitations and enhance the availability of drugs in the brain tissue. Micro- and nanoparticulate carriers are composed of natural or synthetic materials that interact with biological structures at the molecular level and lead the treatment of NDs into a new direction. They may induce interaction between target sites, thus minimizing the side effects.
  • 602
  • 22 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Microglia in Brain Homeostasis and Neuroinflammation
Neuroinflammation is a common hallmark in different neurodegenerative conditions that share neuronal dysfunction and a progressive loss of a selectively vulnerable brain cell population. Alongside ageing and genetics, inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are considered key risk factors. Microglia are considered immune sentinels of the central nervous system capable of initiating an innate and adaptive immune response. Nevertheless, the pathological mechanisms underlying the initiation and spread of inflammation in the brain are still poorly described.
  • 469
  • 23 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Bioactivities of Turmeric Oil
Curcuma longa L. (syn. Curcuma domestica), commonly known as turmeric, is a perennial herb native to Asia. After curing, drying, and milling, turmeric rhizomes are usually employed as a dye, cosmetic, and food seasoning. Most pharmacological activities of turmeric have been explained by the properties of curcumin, mainly because turmeric oil has not been as extensively studied as curcuminoids. Turmeric rhizome oil (TO) is responsible for this spice’s characteristic taste and smell.
  • 486
  • 16 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) target pathological thrombin, which is, like toxic tau and amyloid-ß proteins (Aß), an early hallmark of  Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Especially in hippocampal and neocortical areas, the release of parenchymal Aß into the blood induces thrombin and proinflammatory bradykinin synthesis by activating factor XII of the contact system. Thrombin promotes platelet aggregation and catalyzes conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, leading to degradation-resistant, Aß-containing fibrin clots. Together with oligomeric Aß, these clots trigger vessel constriction and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) with vessel occlusion and hemorrhages, leading to vascular and blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. As consequences, brain blood flow, perfusion, and supply with oxygen (hypoxia) and nutrients decrease. In parenchymal tissue, hypoxia stimulates Aß synthesis, leading to Aß accumulation, which is further enhanced by BBB-impaired perivascular Aß clearance. Aß trigger neuronal damage and promote tau pathologies. BBB dysfunction enables thrombin and fibrin(ogen) to migrate into parenchymal tissue and to activate glial cells. Inflammation and continued Aß production are the results. Synapses and neurons die, and cognitive abilities are lost. DOACs block thrombin by inhibiting its activity (dabigatran) or production (FXa-inhibitors, e.g., apixaban, rivaroxaban). Therefore, DOAC use could preserve vascular integrity and brain perfusion and, thereby, could counteract vascular-driven neuronal and cognitive decline in AD. 
  • 519
  • 15 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Microglia as Therapeutic Target for Radiation-Induced Brain Injury
Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) after radiotherapy has become an increasingly important factor affecting the prognosis of patients with head and neck tumor. With the delivery of high doses of radiation to brain tissue, microglia rapidly transit to a pro-inflammatory phenotype, upregulate phagocytic machinery, and reduce the release of neurotrophic factors. 
  • 691
  • 12 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Neuroprotective Mechanism of Banana and Plantain Fruits Elements
Plant-based foods, such as fruits, contain natural active principles, ranging from primary metabolites (nutritive factors, vitamins, and minerals) to secondary metabolites (phytochemicals). These bioactive principles play significant roles in mitigating several chronic diseases. Some epidemiological studies have identified antioxidant-rich secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids and anthocyanin, for their anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and ameliorative roles in neurological disorders. Generally, natural polyphenols express their neuroprotective capacity by relying on their mechanism ability to cross the blood-brain barrier to scavenge the pathological concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Equally, polyphenols modulate a series of mediating cell-signaling pathways of pathological diseases.
  • 1.0K
  • 11 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Physiotherapy Interventions in the Elderly with Neurological Disorders
Physiotherapy deals with the support and promotion of physical recovery after physical injuries or neurological events and conditions. The degeneration of the neuromuscular system over time is an inevitable part of the aging process, a condition that makes physical therapy necessary in the elderly, especially those with additional neurological disorders (NDs). In this context, physiotherapists often have to evaluate and treat elderly patients with loss of cognitive function from aging as well as balance disorders such as cerebral palsy (and movement disorders), degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, polyneuropathy (e.g., diabetic neuropathy or Guillain–Barré syndrome), peripheral nerve injuries, and acute cases such as patients recovering from stroke and, recently, elders recovering from COVID-19. Most of the therapeutic approaches for neurological rehabilitation include basic elements such as promoting normal movement, controlling abnormal muscle tone, and facilitating function. Furthermore, neurological physiotherapy adopts a problem-based individualized approach, as determined from a thorough evaluation of a patient’s health status. Therefore, the treatment goals for a person recovering from a stroke may be vastly different among patients with similar NDs but different health history. Thus, the treatment approaches used depend on the individual patient and their symptoms and physiotherapy’s rehabilitation goals, so a variety of tools and standard approaches can be applied.
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Plant-Derived Nutrients and Their Impact on Cognition
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, with the risk of developing it attributed to non-modifiable and modifiable factors. A plant-based diet may protect against cognitive decline, due to the effects of plant-based nutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.
  • 538
  • 08 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Gut Microbiota and Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second-most prevalent neurodegenerative or neuropsychiatric disease, affecting 1% of seniors worldwide. The gut microbiota (GM) is one of the key access controls for most diseases and disorders. Disturbance in the GM creates an imbalance in the function and circulation of metabolites, resulting in unhealthy conditions. Any dysbiosis could affect the function of the gut, consequently disturbing the equilibrium in the intestine, and provoking pro-inflammatory conditions in the gut lumen, which send signals to the central nervous system (CNS) through the vagus enteric nervous system, possibly disturbing the blood–brain barrier. The neuroinflammatory conditions in the brain cause accumulation of α-syn, and progressively develop PD. An important aspect of understanding and treating the disease is access to broad knowledge about the influence of dietary supplements on GM.
  • 793
  • 05 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Neuroprotective Role of Lactoferrin during Early Brain Development
Early adverse fetal environments can significantly disturb central nervous system (CNS) development and subsequently alter brain maturation. Nutritional status is a major variable to be considered during development and increasing evidence links neonate and preterm infant impaired brain growth with neurological and psychiatric diseases in adulthood. Breastfeeding is one of the main components required for healthy newborn development due to the many “constitutive” elements breastmilk contains. Maternal intake of specific nutrients during lactation may alter milk composition, thus affecting newborn nutrition and, potentially, brain development. Lactoferrin (Lf) is a major protein present in colostrum and the main protein in human milk, which plays an important role in the benefits of breastfeeding during postnatal development. It has been demonstrated that Lf has antimicrobial, as well as anti-inflammatory properties, and is potentially able to reduce the incidence of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which are particularly frequent in premature births. The anti-inflammatory effects of Lf can reduce birth-related pathologies by decreasing the release of pro-inflammatory factors and inhibiting premature cervix maturation (also related to commensal microbiome abnormalities) that could contribute to disrupting brain development. Pre-clinical evidence shows that Lf protects the developing brain from neuronal injury, enhances brain connectivity and neurotrophins production, and decreases inflammation in models of perinatal inflammatory challenge, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Lactoferrin has also been considered a potential biomarker of neurodegeneration and its mechanisms of action make it a good candidate to be tested in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
  • 677
  • 08 Aug 2022
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