Introduction
Neurological diseases are a global health problem because, despite extensive research in the area of neuroprotection, only one drug is currently ascribed to this category: riluzole. Therefore, it is essential to continue the search for new and more effective drugs. In this context, the study of natural products offers the possibility of obtaining new and more effective drugs to prevent or ease the symptoms of Neurological diseases. In addition, the design of new molecules based on molecules present in nature can offer even more true possibilities.
Neurological Diseases: Overview
Neurological diseases are characterized by damage to cells of the nervous system and the neuronal network, with a progression that is chronic, relentless, and without cure. According to the World Health Organization, the major neurological disorders include Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries. The incidence and prevalence of these disorders are expected to increase over the next few decades. The diseases are complex, multifactorial, and have different etiologies, which makes the application of regenerative medicine difficult. The nervous system poses unique problems for regenerative medicine because it contains neurons and glial cells with very little spontaneous regenerative ability.
The treatment of neurological diseases is a challenge. Current treatment regimens for various neurological diseases have been shown to relieve symptoms. For specialized treatments such as Deep Brain Stimulation, medicinal therapies could be improved with the application of predictive and personalized medicine. The increasing understanding of the molecular physiology of neurological diseases is enhancing our ability to obtain novel compounds and develop biologically oriented transplants, gene therapy, and neurotrophic factors for the treatment of neurological diseases. The major endpoints for these advances are the prevention of disease, the slowing of progression, and the restoration of function. While the translation of new and exciting treatments from bench to clinical application is rapid, many barriers remain. The present review focuses on advances in neurotrophic factors derived from botanicals.
Traditional Treatment Approaches
Existing healthcare systems in both industrialized and developing countries are often focused on treating the symptoms of neurological diseases or disorders rather than their causes. In fact, the abilities of available healthcare resources to treat the causes of these conditions and their associated symptoms are usually very limited. The traditional treatment approach for a wide range of neurological diseases can be conceptualized as the provision of a series of brain training programs to affected patients. These programs may include physical and occupational therapy. Medications or even invasive brain surgeries can be used to further alleviate affected patients’ symptoms and/or neurobehavioral disabilities.
All traditional pharmacological treatments for neurological diseases either aim to manage the symptoms associated with the affected patients’ neurobehavioral disabilities or target the modulation of discrete neurotransmitter systems, despite the fact that these drugs have broad side effects on many different organs throughout the body. Modulation of a small number of neurotransmitter systems, predominantly dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, and norepinephrine, can alleviate symptoms associated with a variety of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. These traditional treatment approaches do not address any of the fundamental problems that underlie patients’ neurobehavioral problems. Therefore, a focus on the development of novel therapeutic approaches to remedy these conditions is imperative.
Technological Innovations in Treatment
The lack of solutions and viable options makes the treatment of neurological diseases, compared to other disease areas, lag behind. However, technological innovation sustained in R&D brings new, effective treatment options to the market. In the treatment of a range of instances, inadequate changes in behavior caused chronic brain stimulation and, in particular, deep brain stimulation, is an efficient answer. By offering extremely precise models of deep brain structures in time windows as brief as the few tens of milliseconds needed to adjust stimulation patterns and behaviors, research of dynamic brain computer interfaces departs from the initial engineering-based notion.
In order to establish as soon as possible a diagnosis of central nervous system pathologies, care relies on a non-invasive and, preferably, in vivo testing method. In most cases, MRI and more lately MQ relaxometry have surpassed, as gold standards, traditional neuroimaging methodologies such as X-ray, CT, ventriculography or myelography to ensure care by surgeons and neurologists; momentum grows concerning proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging and blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI.
Prefrontal β- and low-γ cortical activity causal for the specific pattern necessary for phase resetting only locally increased and decreased in magnitude and frequency; nonetheless, propagation to neighboring areas was striking. Reflecting the diversified aims of multiple experiments, escalating cognitive and behavioral demands, the authors suggest in their results that, in addition to demonstrating species independence, prefrontal β neural activity accumulates prior to making a decision; then, both frequency and functional requests organize and decode the chosen plan in low-γ activity patterns.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation has become a standard of care for Parkinson’s disease while evolving as a promising option for refractory depression, obesity, obsessive-compulsive disorders, epilepsy, and cluster headaches. This includes realizing the ability to apply adaptive continuous feedback stimulation. Intracranial surgery for neurological disease has undergone a significant transformation during minimizing invasiveness in reaching deep brain targets using either robotic- or platform-mounted specialized lesion generators.
Deep Brain Stimulation Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is now a standard of care for Parkinson’s Disease and is being assessed for several neurological conditions, such as refractory depression, obesity, obsessive-compulsive disorders, epilepsy, and cluster headaches. As the case load of patients with implanted deep brain stimulating systems grows, each implanted stimulating system needs to be safe without compromising any concomitant functions of other implanted systems. This includes the ability to apply adaptive continuous feedback stimulation. propose solutions for addressing instances where a potentially dangerous loss of feedback control could occur. Thereafter, a novel system that periodically switches channels with full inside knowledge of the external systems in use is developed, ultimately overcoming the limitations of prior art. Subsequently, as new complaints and concerns about current deep brain stimulating systems continue to arise, proposes a deep brain stimulation implantable pulse generator that can provide longer on-time based upon network status information, even by controlling the limit of amplitude or the limit of pulse width or both. These estimations of battery status are derived from a raw network value representing longitudinal status data of the particular imaging impedance measurement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, neurological diseases represent a significant challenge in the medical field due to their complexity and the profound impact they have on individuals and society. Advances in research and technology, such as innovative diagnostic tools, novel therapeutic strategies, and a deeper understanding of genetic and molecular mechanisms, are paving the way for more effective treatments and potentially, cures. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the brain and nervous system, collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and patients remains crucial. With ongoing efforts and a commitment to advancing neurological health, there is hope for better management, improved quality of life, and ultimately, the prevention of these debilitating conditions.
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INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICINE ORGANIZATION IHMO
