Major health issues like cancer and neurological diseases are caused due to
excessive exposure or accumulation of metals like iron, zinc, and copper. The
distribution of these elements is regulated by metal homeostasis, which is crucial for
maintaining vital cellular functions, including oxygen transport, immune defense, and
cellular energy management. The body retains metal homeostasis through mechanisms
that control absorption, transport, and storage of these metals. When these regulatory
processes malfunction, they give rise to disorders, such as hemochromatosis and
Wilson’s disease, which can lead to zinc deficiency. Notably, in neurodegenerative
diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, disrupted metal regulation contributes to
disease progression through inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired molecular
signalling, all of which aggravate neuronal damage and interfere with neurotransmitter
activity. To better understand these mechanisms, researchers use animal models and
virtual computer-based models to study how metal imbalance initiates and sustains
disease states. Progress in treatment evaluation relies on transitioning from preclinical
findings to clinical trials to assess both safety and effectiveness. Recently,
computational tools have merged with personalized medicine, using computational
software to develop innovative approaches for managing metal-related disorders. These
studies focus on tracking biological mechanisms of metals and their links to brain
damage, aiming to apply simulation strategies in future research on metal regulation.
Keywords: Animal models, Computational approaches, Inflammation, Metal dysregulation, Metal homeostasis, Neurotransmitter alteration, Neurodegenerative diseases, Oxidative stress, Preclinical studies, Personalized medicine.
