title: Trends in the molecular pathogenesis and clinical therapeutics of common neurodegenerative disorders.
abstract: The term neurodegenerative disorders, encompasses a variety of underlying conditions, sporadic and/or familial and are characterized by the persistent loss of neuronal subtypes. These disorders can disrupt molecular pathways, synapses, neuronal subpopulations and local circuits in specific brain regions, as well as higher-order neural networks. Abnormal network activities may result in a vicious cycle, further impairing the integrity and functions of neurons and synapses, for example, through aberrant excitation or inhibition. The most common neurodegenerative disorders are Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Huntington's disease. The molecular features of these disorders have been extensively researched and various unique neurotherapeutic interventions have been developed. However, there is an enormous coercion to integrate the existing knowledge in order to intensify the reliability with which neurodegenerative disorders can be diagnosed and treated. The objective of this review article is therefore to assimilate these disorders' in terms of their neuropathology, neurogenetics, etiology, trends in pharmacological treatment, clinical management, and the use of innovative neurotherapeutic interventions.
authors: University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Yahya E
authors: YE
authors: Choonara
authors: University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Viness
authors: 0000-0002-8119-3347
authors: V
authors: Pillay
authors: University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Lisa C
authors: LC
authors: Du Toit
authors: University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Neurology, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Girish
authors: G
authors: Modi
authors: University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Neurosurgery, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Dinesh
authors: D
authors: Naidoo
authors: University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Valence M K
authors: VMK
authors: Ndesendo
authors: University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Sibongile R
authors: SR
authors: Sibambo
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000071058:Huntingtin Protein; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000378:metabolism; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D015259:Dopamine Agents; C086055:HTT protein, human; D000071058:Huntingtin Protein; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D016875:tau Proteins