Neurodegenerative Diseases

The neurodegenerative disorders, which include Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer Disease (AD), Parkinson Disease (PD), and Huntington Disease (HD), are clinically heterogeneous. Medications can ameliorate some symptoms, but none reverse the relentless progression of the illnesses. The past several decades have seen a dramatic increase in the understanding of the complex pathophysiology underlying the diseases. Overlapping features at the cellular level provide clues for targets of therapeutic interventions. While the disorders can now be studied using in vitro and animal models, they have posed a particular challenge because of their complex biochemistry, pathology and lack of mechanism based treatments. There are still few unequivocal neuroprotective agents, and we await the major breakthrough that will provide truly meaningful clinical improvement. Until then, numerous symptomatic therapies can improve the quality of life of those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. This chapter outlines the current strategies for the use of symptomatic therapies and the development of neuroprotective treatment for neurodegenerative disorders.