Neurodegenerative disorders and the current state, pathophysiology and management of Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

: In last few decades major knowledge has been gained about pathophysiological aspects and molecular pathways behind Parkinson’s disease (PD). Based on neurotoxicological studies and postmortem investigations, now there is a general concept that how environmental toxicants (neurotoxins, pesticides insecticides) and genetic factors (genetic mutations in PD-associated proteins) cause depletion of dopamine from substantia nigra pars compacta region of midbrain and modulate cellular processes leading to pathogenesis of PD. α-Synuclein, a neuronal protein accumulation in oligomeric form, called protofibrils is associated with cellular dysfunction and neuronal death thus possibly contributing to PD propagation. With advances made in identifying loci that contribute for PD, molecular pathways involved in disease pathogenesis are now clear and introducing therapeutic strategy at right time may delay the progression. Biomarkers for PD has helped to monitor PD progression, so personalized therapeutic strategies can be facilitated. In order to further improve PD diagnostic and prognostic accuracy, biomarkersfurther large independent validation is required.