Molecular Diagnostics In The Detection Of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neurodegeneration is characterized by the progressive loss of neural tissue that result in various neurodegeneration-initiated cerebral failures and complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease. All these medical conditions are accompanied by the disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is an interface, separating the brain from the circulatory system and protecting the central nervous system from potentially harmful chemicals while regulating transport of essential molecules and maintaining a stable environment. Owing to the inability of the neurons to regenerate on their own after neurodegeneration or severe damage to the neural tissue, neurodegenerative disorders do not have natural cures on their own. Neuroregeneration is a viable way to curb neurodegeneration. One of the current approaches is stem cell-based therapy that has been shown to be potentially helpful for the application of neuronal cell replacement for neuroregeneration. It is vital that the neurodegenerative disorder being detected at an early stage as it can provide a chance for treatment that may be helpful to prevent further progression of the fatal disease. Thus, research has focused on developing effective non-invasive diagnostic methods for early detection of these disorders. Molecular diagnostics can provide a powerful method to detect and diagnose various neurological disorders. Such diagnosis can enhance early detection, provide subsequent medical counsel based on medical pathway, as well as to gain better insight of neurogenesis and hopefully eventual cure of the neurodegenerative diseases. With research reports, reviews, mini-reviews and commentary, this research topic covers a wide range of areas in neurodegeneration research, including diagnosis and prognosis; regulating central nervous system; biomarkers and brain injury induced neurobehavioral outcomes among other timely reports on neurodegeneration.

This book gives an overview of the current knowledge on the most common neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Lewy body dementia,Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and additional less common neurodegenerative diseases. Both clinical and basic aspects of each disease are treated, including novel diagnostic criteria, old and new treatments, basic discoveries (genetics, epigenetics and molecular biology), and translation of basic research into biomarkers for early diagnosis, particularly to identify peripheral biomarkers. In addition, emerging data indicate that neurodegeneration seems to also be present in classically non-degenerative disorders. Therefore, a chapter about overlapping mechanisms between dementias and psychiatric disorders is included, as well as a description of the role of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis. Neurodegenerative Diseases is aimed at clinicians, particularly those working in academic hospitals. This multidisciplinary book will also be of interest to basic researchers in medical fields.

Neurodegenerative diseases represent a very large group of heterogeneous disorders affecting specific subtypes of neurons in the brain. This book contributes insight both to the awareness of the brain and its neurodegenerative states. The chapters present current knowledge regarding genetics, molecular mechanisms, and new therapeutic strategies against neurodegenerative disorders. The book is intended to serve as a source to aid clinicians and researchers in the field, and also life science readers to increase their understanding and awareness of the clinical correlations, genetic aspects, neuropathological findings, and current therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative diseases. I believe that this book will enlighten the curiosity for neurodegeneration and also encourage researchers to work on potentially effective molecular therapies for still mysterious neurodegenerative disorders.

Smart Diagnostics for Neurodegenerative Disorders: Neuro-sensors explores all available biosensor-based approaches and technologies as well as their use in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic management of a variety of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and epileptic disorders. The book also discusses contemporary and revolutionary biosensor platforms that are being used to produce a quantitative quick lab-on-a-chip point-of-care (POC) assay for several types of predictive and diagnostic biomarkers linked with neurodegenerative disorders. It offers a combinatorial strategy for learning recent advances and designing new biosensor-based technologies in the fields of medical science, engineering and biomedical technology. Early detection of neurological conditions has the potential to treat the disease and extend the life expectancy of patients. Recent improvements in biosensor-based approaches that target specific cell surface biomarkers can be used for early detection of neurodegenerative disease. Provides an in-depth understanding of biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative disease to build and create a variety of biosensors Presents biosensor-based strategies to create and construct enhanced platforms for quick diagnosis of biomarkers linked to a variety of neurological illnesses Discusses the current challenges and future trends in developing diagnostic devices for early detection of neurodegenerative disorders, presenting new avenues for more sensitive and selective point-of-care devices

Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized pathologically by two principal hallmark lesions: the senile plaque and the neurofibrillary tangle. Since the identification of each over 100 years ago, the major protein components have been elucidated. This has led in turn to the elaboration of metabolic cascades involving amyloid-β production in the case of the senile plaque, and phosphorylated-tau protein in the case of the neurofibrillary tangle. The pathogenesis and histogenesis of each have been the source of extensive investigation and some controversy in recent years, as both cascades have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease, relied upon in the diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s Disease at autopsy, and targeted for therapeutic intervention. With the accumulation of data and expansion of knowledge of the molecular biology of Alzheimer’s Disease, it appears that the enthusiasm for successful intervention has been premature. In this book, we detail the discovery and characterization of the major pathological lesions, their associated molecular biology, their relationship to clinical disease, and potential fundamental errors in understanding that may be leading scientific investigators in unintended directions.

This book covers the discovery of molecular biomarkers, the development of laboratory testing techniques and their clinical applications, focusing on basic research to clinical practice. It introduces new and crucial knowledge and ethics of clinical molecular diagnosis. This book emphasizes the applications of clinical molecular diagnostic test on health management, especially from different diseased organs. It lets readers to understand and realize precision healthcare.

The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Neurodegenerative Diseases: Underlying Mechanisms presents the pathology, genetics, biochemistry and cell biology of the major human neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, frontotemporal dementia, ALS, Huntington’s, and prion diseases. Edited and authored by internationally recognized leaders in the field, the book's chapters explore their pathogenic commonalities and differences, also including discussions of animal models and prospects for therapeutics. Diseases are presented first, with common mechanisms later. Individual chapters discuss each major neurodegenerative disease, integrating this information to offer multiple molecular and cellular mechanisms that diseases may have in common. This book provides readers with a timely update on this rapidly advancing area of investigation, presenting an invaluable resource for researchers in the field. Covers the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases and their complex genetic, pathological, biochemical and cellular features Focuses on leading hypotheses regarding the biochemical and cellular dysfunctions that cause neurodegeneration Details features, advantages and limitations of animal models, as well as prospects for therapeutic development Authored by internationally recognized leaders in the field Includes illustrations that help clarify and consolidate complex concepts