Neurodegenerative pathways in Parkinson's disease: therapeutic strategies

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD), considered one of the major neurological disorders, is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra and by the presence of intraneuronal cytoplasmic inclusions called Lewy bodies. The causes for degeneration of PD neurons remain unclear, however, recent findings contributed to clarify this issue. This review will discuss the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease pathogenesis, focusing on the current and potential therapeutic strategies for human treatment.