Neurodegenerative disorders are elucidated as genetic and intermittent
diseases which are described by progressive nervous system dysfunctions. These
disorders have often being correlated with the degeneration of nerve cells. Most
prevalent diseases are Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias, Encephalitis,
Epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease (PD), Multiple sclerosis, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,
Huntington’s disease, Schizophrenia and Prion diseases. All neurodegenerative
diseases are disastrous and impact social as well as economic wellbeing. However, the
majority of neuropatients are affected by AD, PD and together they cost the health care
system almost billions of dollars per year. Besides, Schizophrenia is a severe mystery
with no effective medical treatment. Therefore, AD, PD and Schizophrenia have been
discussed at length in the present chapter. The AD is characterized by two
neuropathological lesions, senile plaques composed of Aβ peptide and neurofibrillary
tangles (NFTs) containing aggregated hyperphosphorylated Tau protein. The
importance of Tau dysfunction in neurodegeneration is further supported by the
enrichment of Tau genetic variants in cohorts of patients suffering from frontotemporal
lobar degeneration disorder (FTLD). Memory loss, trouble sleeping, language
problems, thinking and reasoning skills are the most common symptoms of AD. The
PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disease which involves the
breakdown and death of neurons in the brain. The core symptoms of PD are tremor,
rigidity, bradykinesia and balance difficulties. Schizophrenia is a genetic brain
disorder. Delusions, hallucinations, social withdrawal and disturbed thinking are some
of its key symptoms. The genes causing these neurodegenerative disorders have been
identified for more than two decades. Key researchers in this field have revealed
numerous events at molecular and cellular levels, thus playing an important role in
these fatal disorders. Many associated pathological events and therapeutic correlations
are not clearly understood and therefore, there is no known cure for these chronic and
progressive neurological disorders.
This chapter aims to address AD, PD and Schizophrenia researches that may divulge
novel mechanisms and targets for therapeutic intervention. It collates the significant
findings of various experts in studying these degenerative diseases and stimulates novel
perception to the campaign against devastating neurodegenerative diseases.
