[Treatment-Quo vadis neurodegeneration?].

BACKGROUND

Hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease are pathological protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and progressive symptoms. Due to the limited causal treatment options they represent a big challenge.

OBJECTIVE

Overview of disease-modifying strategies in neurodegenerative diseases and outlook regarding future treatment development.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Literature search regarding treatment development in neurodegenerative diseases and integration of the results. Additionally, consideration of expert opinions.

RESULTS

The development of biomarkers and genetic parameters for the detection of causal pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases as an indispensable basis for the development of disease-modifying treatment is rapidly advancing. Targets for causal interventions are all steps in the pathophysiological cascade of neurodegenerative diseases. Therapeutic antibodies are most advanced in the development and are able to remove protein deposits from the brain and to reduce the clinical progression in Alzheimer's disease. A combination of biomarkers, genetic characteristics and clinical parameters could enable an individualized treatment.

CONCLUSION

The future of the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases focuses on disease modification using molecular-based approaches. Targeted interventions against protein aggregation, inflammation and genetic factors as well as a personalized stratification of treatment hold promise for more effective forms of treatment. Although challenges still remain, current research and clinical studies give optimism for the development of disease-modifying treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.