Many of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases have a common underlying theme.  One or more proteins found normally in the brain start piling up in the brain as misfolded, aggregated and oligomeric forms. These oligomers spread across various regions of the brain, seeding further aggregation and spread.

Oligomeric protein aggregates become toxic to neurons as they disrupt various normal cellular processes. Aggregated oligomers cause damage to mitochondria leading to reduced ATP generation, promotes inflammation as well as induction of neuronal cell death.  

As the oligomeric toxic protein aggregate spread across the brain, they cause significant destruction of neurons and neuronal networks along the way.

Destruction of brain structures by the toxic oligomers results in clinical syndromes in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and many other neurodegenerative diseases.

Therapeutic interventions to promote the clearance of these toxic proteins from the brain can have a profound impact on many neurodegenerative diseases. Such agents can be potential disease-modifying therapies that slows the progression or even prevent the onset of disease if administered prophylactically.

Examples of protein aggregates in Neurodegenerative diseases

Beta-amyloid- Alzheimer’s disease

Tau- Alzheimer’s disease

Alpha-Synuclein- Parkinsons disease

TDP-43- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Huntingtin- Huntington’s disease