Title:Neuronal Vulnerability to Degeneration in Parkinson’s Disease and
Therapeutic Approaches
Volume: 23
Issue: 6
Author(s): Tanushree Sharma, Rajnish Kumar and Sayali Mukherjee*
Affiliation:
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Lucknow Campus, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Keywords:
Neuronal vulnerability, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Pathology, therapy, neurodegenerative disorder, dopaminergic deficiency.
Abstract: Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease affecting millions
of people worldwide. Despite the crucial threat it poses, currently, no specific therapy exists that
can completely reverse or halt the progression of the disease. Parkinson's disease pathology is driven
by neurodegeneration caused by the intraneuronal accumulation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates
in Lewy bodies in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Parkinson’s disease is a multiorgan disease
affecting the central nervous system (CNS) as well as the autonomic nervous system. A bidirectional
route of spreading α-syn from the gut to CNS through the vagus nerve and vice versa has also been reported.
Despite our understanding of the molecular and pathophysiological aspects of Parkinson’s disease,
many questions remain unanswered regarding the selective vulnerability of neuronal populations,
the neuromodulatory role of the locus coeruleus, and alpha-synuclein aggregation. This review article
aims to describe the probable factors that contribute to selective neuronal vulnerability in Parkinson’s
disease, such as genetic predisposition, bioenergetics, and the physiology of neurons, as well as the interplay
of environmental and exogenous modulators. This review also highlights various therapeutic
strategies with cell transplants, through viral gene delivery, by targeting α-synuclein and aquaporin
protein or epidermal growth factor receptors for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The application
of regenerative medicine and patient-specific personalized approaches have also been explored as
promising strategies in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.