Pharmacological Approaches to Address Neurodegenerative Diseases: Innovations and Challenges

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD) are collectively classified as neurodegenerative disorders and present significant therapeutic difficulties because of the limited number of available pharmacological targets. There are sanctioned targeted therapies to some extent, but it is still unsure as to how effective and accessible such therapies are, and if they have long-term impacts. This work aimed to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of various drugs for AD, PD, and HD using data on changes in biomarkers, clinical outcomes, and availability for patients. The recent clinical trials of aducanumab, levodopa derivatives, and antisense oligonucleotides were reviewed, and the impact of these treatments on AD, PD, and HD patients was discussed.

The efficacy of these treatments was measured using data for cognitive enhancement, motor function, disease course, and modifications in biomarkers. Aducanumab reduced amyloid plaques in AD patients. The overall gain in cognition was small but statistically significant. In furtherance, levodopa derivatives enhanced the motor function in PD patients by 40% and antisense oligonucleotides delayed HD progression by 15%. Some of the features observed included cost, which presented accessibility problems, particularly with advanced treatments. Drugs that modulate the disease-relevant pathophysiological processes are effective in managing neurodegenerative diseases, however, issues surrounding long-term supply and effectiveness arise.