What are common neurodegenerative diseases?

Some of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Huntington’s disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

What are challenges in neurodegenerative disease treatment?

High costs and long timelines, side effects in clinical trials, the blood-brain barrier, and complex disease mechanisms.

Neurodegenerative Diseases: Challenges and Breakthroughs

Q: What are some promising breakthroughs in neurodegenerative disease treatment?

Precision Medicine Advancements in genomics, epigenomics and proteomics are enabling tailored treatments based on a patient’s unique molecular profile. By merging molecular and clinical data, researchers can better detect subtypes of neurodegenerative diseases and anticipate their progression. Multimodal Therapies Combining approaches targeting protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity shows potential for better outcomes. Targeting Root Causes Researchers are developing treatments that address underlying disease mechanisms rather than just symptoms, which could help them directly target the origins of these diseases and halt their progression quickly — or even prevent them.

The fight against neurodegenerative diseases is a race against time. These progressive conditions, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, affect millions globally, with cases expected to rise sharply in the coming decades. Despite significant hurdles to their prevention and treatment, there is hope. Modern molecular medicine innovations could transform how we prevent, manage and treat these devastating diseases.

What Are Neurodegenerative Diseases?

Taking aim at the nervous system, and the brain in particular, neurodegenerative diseases are progressive conditions that impair movement, cognition and other essential functions.

As the population ages and lifespans increase, reported cases of these disorders are expected to double within 20 years. In the U.S. alone, nearly 1 million people have Parkinson’s disease and over 6 million are living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Common Neurodegenerative Diseases

Some of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases include:

Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Huntington’s disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Challenges in Treatment

Although treatments can slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and alleviate their symptoms, curing these diseases remains elusive due to several significant challenges:

High Costs and Long Timelines
Developing new drugs can take up to 15 years and cost up to $2 billion. More than 90% of clinical drug development attempts end in failure.

Side Effects in Clinical Trials
Promising Alzheimer’s drugs like lecanemab and donanemab have led to cognitive improvements but also caused serious side effects, including brain swelling and hemorrhaging.

The Blood-Brain Barrier
This natural defense mechanism makes it difficult for many drugs to reach the brain: the organ where neurodegenerative patients need it most.

Complex Disease Mechanisms
Medical scientists are still trying to fully understand the complex biology of these diseases, making the development of effective treatments more challenging.

Promising Breakthroughs in Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment

Despite these challenges, recent breakthroughs offer hope for neurodegenerative disease patients:

Precision Medicine
Advancements in genomics, epigenomics and proteomics are enabling tailored treatments based on a patient’s unique molecular profile. By merging molecular and clinical data, researchers can better detect subtypes of neurodegenerative diseases and anticipate their progression.

Multimodal Therapies
Combining approaches targeting protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity shows potential for better outcomes.

Targeting Root Causes
Researchers are developing treatments that address underlying disease mechanisms rather than just symptoms, which could help them directly target the origins of these diseases and halt their progression quickly — or even prevent them.

Build Your Expertise in Molecular Medicine

Where do neurodegenerative diseases start? How can we target and even prevent them at the molecular level?

UMMC’s online Molecular Medicine Graduate Certificate Program is for those ready to explore these questions and make a difference in healthcare. Precision medicine concepts and practices are a core component of our online Program, which means you’ll get to explore this innovative approach to creating personalized, effective treatments.

Equipped with knowledge from our Program, you can elevate your current role, compete for new roles or apply more confidently to health-profession school. The knowledge you’ll gain is applicable to countless rewarding career paths.

Take as few as three courses or as many as six, depending on your areas of interest and professional goals.

Who Is This Program For?

This program is designed for individuals seeking:

A stronger health-profession school application
Completing 22 credits is strongly recommended to enhance your candidacy.

A foundation for graduate or professional degrees
Build the knowledge base needed for advanced academic pursuits.

Eligibility to teach biological sciences at postsecondary institutions
Additional licensure or certification may be required.

Be part of the solution for people facing neurodegenerative diseases as a professional skilled in molecular science. Apply to our program today!

Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/precision-medicine