CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets - Current Issue

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurological disorder that affects humans and is a major contributor to dementia. It is characterized by cognitive dysfunction, impairing an individual's ability to perform daily tasks. In AD, nerve cells in areas of the brain related to cognitive function are damaged. Despite extensive research, there is currently no specific therapeutic or diagnostic approach for this fatal disease. However, scientists worldwide have developed effective techniques for diagnosing and managing this challenging disorder. Among the various methods used to diagnose AD are feedback from blood relatives and observations of changes in an individual's behavioral and cognitive abilities. Biomarkers, such as amyloid beta and measures of neurodegeneration, aid in the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and brain imaging techniques like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Advanced medical imaging technologies, including X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, mammography, and PET, provide valuable insights into human anatomy and function. MRI, in particular, is non-invasive and useful for scanning both the structural and functional aspects of the brain. Additionally, Machine Learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) technologies, especially Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), have demonstrated high accuracy in diagnosing AD by detecting brain changes. However, these technologies are intended to support, rather than replace, clinical assessments by medical professionals.

Investigations into the bioactive components of plant-based natural products indicate promising therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). The loss and dysfunction of neurons characterize these disorders. Effective therapeutic guidelines are still elusive despite advances in our comprehension of NDs, in part because of unanswered questions about the safety and efficacy of natural therapies. On the other hand, preclinical models have shown that natural products—such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and phytoconstituents found in freshwater and marine flora—have neuroprotective effects. These substances have the ability to work through a variety of pathways, halting cell death and reinstating neuronal activity. According to recent research, adding these phytoconstituents to nanocarriers, such as nanoparticles, can improve their selectivity and stability, possibly boosting the effectiveness of treatment. By making these agents more specific to target sites, nanotechnology presents a promising treatment option for NDs. Clinical trials assessing the efficacy of these natural compounds in treating neurological conditions are becoming more common as research advances, underscoring their potential as neuroprotective drugs. This study primarily focuses on the therapeutic efficacy of specific natural compounds and their bioactive components, which exhibit neuroprotective benefits in conditions associated with undiagnosed depression. Several preclinical models have demonstrated better results when natural derivatives are used, which has led to an increase in the use of natural therapies for treating NDs. Overall, despite ongoing difficulties, natural products have a great deal of promise for treating and preventing NDs; however, more research is needed to determine safe and effective treatment modalities.

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is widely utilised as a live vertebrate model in research on neurological development and nervous system diseases. This species exhibits various distinctive attributes that render it well-suited for investigating neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Zebrafish and humans have a genetic similarity of around 70%, and approximately 84% of the genes associated with human diseases have zebrafish equivalents. The genetic similarities and presence of neurotransmitters like dopamine allow scientists to study PD genes and proteins. Zebrafish are often challenged with neurotoxins to induce Parkinsonian symptoms, allowing researchers to evaluate attendant biochemical pathways. Zebrafish can also repair damaged organs, increasing their potential value in PD research. Because of their regenerative capacity and genetic resemblance to humans, these species can be used to study dopamine neurodegeneration and prospective PD treatments. In addition to PD, zebrafish are helpful models for studying Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. This article emphasizes significant findings of relevance to PD using the zebrafish model, describing its challenges and benefits. The investigation of key genes, protein pathways, and neurotoxins provides the opportunity to facilitate understanding of the role of dopamine neurotransmitters in PD and expedite the development of potentially promising therapeutic strategies.