Neurodegenerative Disorders: From Pathogenesis to Clinical Approaches

This book gives an overview of the current knowledge on the most common neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and additional less common neurodegenerative diseases. Both clinical and basic aspects of each disease are treated, including novel diagnostic criteria, old and new treatments, basic discoveries (genetics, epigenetics and molecular biology), and translation of basic research into biomarkers for early diagnosis, particularly to identify peripheral biomarkers. “Neurodegenerative Disorders: From Pathogenesis to Clinical Approaches,” is aimed at clinicians, particularly those working in academic hospitals, and researchers in medical fields. Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a heterogeneous group of complex diseases characterized by neuronal loss and progressive degeneration of different areas of the nervous system. NDs represent a significant health problem worldwide, with an increasing incidence rate. Although the exact pathogenesis of NDs remains unclear, a complex interaction among genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors has been proposed. To date, no effective therapeutics have been developed to slow, halt, or prevent any NDs. Thus, information on the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of NDs is strongly sought after.