Novel Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
Interests: neuroprotective agents; neurodegeneration; stroke; cerebrovascular diseases; polyphenolic compound

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
Interests: neurodegeneration; stroke; Alzheimer's disease; molecular biology; molecular genetics; immunogenetics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurodegenerative diseases, a collective term for progressive conditions affecting neurons and other supporting cells in the brain, manifest as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and stroke. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and related dementia is a major concern faced by the elderly population. AD is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60–70% of dementia cases. As per the World Health Organization, dementia is the 7th leading cause of death and a major cause of disability among the elderly population. The underlying pathological mechanism is complex, eluding the successful development of a drug therapy. Therapies aimed at controlling amyloid beta and tau phosphorylation have resulted in limited success. Similarly, the complicated but common pathological mechanisms underlying PD, HD and stroke have impeded the success of finding a novel drug therapy. With the rise in neurodegenerative diseases, it has become apparent that novel therapeutic targets should be pursued, as conventional ones yield limited results.    

The aim of the current Special Issue is to present recent findings withing the broad field of neurodegenerative disease research on drug discovery to provide new mechanistic insights that could help researchers broaden the horizon of neurodegenerative disease drug discovery and development.

Authors are invited to submit relevant original research articles, as well as opinion and review papers.

Dr. Zahoor Shah
Dr. Faheem Shehjar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • novel drug therapies
  • gene therapy
  • small-molecule drug therapy
  • pathology of neurodegenerative diseases
  • available drug therapies and limitations
  • antibody-based drug therapies

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

24 pages, 405 KiB  
Review
Aging, Age-Related Diseases, and the Zebrafish Model
by Mariam Sami Abou-Dahech and Frederick E. Williams
J. Dement. Alzheimer's Dis. 2024, 1(1), 48-71; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdad1010004 - 30 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 724
Abstract
The entrance of cells into a permanent state of cell cycle arrest with the ability to resist apoptosis is termed “cellular senescence”. The accumulation of senescent cells within the body can lead to tissue aging and the dysfunction of organs. Whether due to [...] Read more.
The entrance of cells into a permanent state of cell cycle arrest with the ability to resist apoptosis is termed “cellular senescence”. The accumulation of senescent cells within the body can lead to tissue aging and the dysfunction of organs. Whether due to external stressors or the passage of time, aging is an inevitable process that afflicts every living being. Current studies that investigate aging rely on the use of cells or rodent models. Although cells present a cost-effective and quick way to analyze aging, they lack the complexity of whole-body systems and therefore require the use of an in vivo model post-in vitro assays. The zebrafish, Danio rerio, presents a cost-effective model with quick development and large numbers of offspring. These fish share 70% similarity of their genes with humans, including genes known to be associated with human diseases, such as those diseases of aging and/or senescence, like Alzheimer’s disease. Major tissues and organs of humans are also found in these fish, and therefore, zebrafish can serve as a useful model when studying diseases, aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and other disorders. In this review, we will discuss some of the major senescence biomarkers and detection methods, as well as discuss how zebrafish models can be used for the study of aging and age-related disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders)
25 pages, 1121 KiB  
Review
Unraveling Alzheimer’s: Exploring the Gut Microbiota–Brain Axis as a New Frontier in Understanding
by Shahzada Mudasir Rashid, Rahil Razak, Aabid Khaliq Tantray, Antonisamy William James, Nuzhat Showkat, Faheem Shehjar, Fatimah Jan, Sheikh Bilal Ahmad, Andleeb Khan and Zahoor A. Shah
J. Dement. Alzheimer's Dis. 2024, 1(1), 22-47; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdad1010003 - 23 Jun 2024
Viewed by 851
Abstract
The gut microbiota (GM) communicates with the brain via biochemical signaling constituting the gut–brain axis, which significantly regulates the body’s physiological processes. The GM dysbiosis can impact the digestive system and the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) linked to the onset [...] Read more.
The gut microbiota (GM) communicates with the brain via biochemical signaling constituting the gut–brain axis, which significantly regulates the body’s physiological processes. The GM dysbiosis can impact the digestive system and the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) linked to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, the scientific data compiled from diverse sources primarily emphasize the neuropathological characteristics linked to the accumulation of modified insoluble proteins (such as β-amyloid peptides and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the potential impact of gut microbiota (GM) on AD susceptibility or resilience. The specific GM profile of human beings may serve as an essential tool for preventing or progressing neurodegenerative diseases like AD. This review focuses mainly on the effect of gut microfauna on the gut–brain axis in the onset and progression of AD. The GM produces various bioactive molecules that may serve as proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory signaling, contributing directly or indirectly to the repression or progression of neurodegenerative disorders by modulating the response of the brain axis. Human studies must focus on further understanding the gut–brain axis and venture to clarify microbiota-based therapeutic strategies for AD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 17923 KiB  
Review
Tiny Carriers, Tremendous Hope: Nanomedicine in the Fight against Parkinson’s
by Nitu Dogra, Ruchi Jakhmola Mani and Deepshikha Pande Katare
J. Dement. Alzheimer's Dis. 2024, 1(1), 3-21; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdad1010002 - 22 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1041
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons and the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain. While current treatments such as dopamine replacement with levodopa and deep brain stimulation [...] Read more.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons and the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain. While current treatments such as dopamine replacement with levodopa and deep brain stimulation mainly manage symptoms and do not stop disease progression, recent advancements in nanomedicine provide promising new therapy options. These include drug-loaded nanocarriers that improve drug delivery to the brain, enhancing effectiveness and reducing side effects. This review explores novel nanomedical approaches like solid lipid nanocarriers (SLNs), which could improve drug profiles and decrease the adverse effects seen with traditional PD treatments. Additionally, it discusses the challenge of crossing the blood–brain barrier, which is crucial for treating central nervous system disorders, and how nanocarriers facilitate targeted brain delivery. Despite these advancements, the review emphasizes more research into the safety and long-term impacts of nanomedicine in PD, highlighting the challenge of moving these treatments from lab to clinical use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Unraveling Alzheimer’s: Exploring the Gut Microbiota-Brain Axis as a New Frontier in Understanding
Authors: Shahzada Mudasir Rashid; Rahil Razak; Aabid Khaliq Tantra; Antonisamy William James; Nuzhat Showkat; Faheem Shehjar; Fatimah Jan; Sheikh Bilal Ahmad; Andleeb Khan; Zahoor A. Shah
Affiliation: Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, Collage of Pharmacy and pharmaceutical science, The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States-43614.
Abstract: The gut microbiota (GM) communicates with the brain via biochemical signaling constituting the gut-brain axis, which significantly regulates the body's physiological processes. The GM dysbiosis can impact the digestive system and the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) linked to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, the scientific data compiled from diverse sources primarily emphasizes the neuropathological characteristics linked to the accumulation of modified insoluble proteins (such as β-Amyloid peptides and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins) in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and the potential impact of gut microbiota (GM) on AD susceptibility or resilience. The specific GM profile of human beings may serve as an essential tool for preventing or progressing neurodegenerative diseases like AD. This review focuses mainly on the effect of gut microfauna on the gut-brain axis in the onset and progression of AD. The GM produces various bioactive molecules that may serve as proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory signaling, contributing directly or indirectly to the repression or progression of neurodegenerative disorders by modulating the response of the brain axis. Human studies must focus on further understanding the gut-brain axis and venture to clarify microbiota-based therapeutic strategies for AD.

Title: Unraveling Alzheimer’s: Exploring the Gut Microbiota-Brain Axis as a New Frontier in Understanding
Authors: Shahzada Mudasir Rashid
Affiliation: Division of Veterinary Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (SKUAST-K) Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar Kashmir -190006

Back to TopTop