Search

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and intricate neurodegenerative disease that impacts upper and lower motor neurons within the central nervous system, leading to their progressive destruction. Despite extensive research, the pathogenesis of this multifaceted disease remains elusive. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for seven medications designed to address ALS and mitigate its associated symptoms. These FDA-sanctioned treatments are Qalsody, Relyvrio, Radicava, Rilutek, Tiglutik, Exservan, and Nuedexta. In this review, the effects of these seven drugs on ALS based on their mechanism of action, dosing, and clinical presentations are comprehensively summarized. Each medication offers a distinct approach to manage ALS, aiming to alleviate the burdensome symptoms and slow the disease's progression, thereby improving the quality of life for individuals affected by this neurological condition. However, despite these advancements in pharmaceutical interventions, finding a definitive cure for ALS remains a significant challenge. Continuous investigation into ALS pathophysiology and therapeutic avenues remains imperative, necessitating further research collaborations and innovative approaches to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying this debilitating condition., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press.)

Huntington's disease (HD), a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease, causes the gradual deterioration of neurons in the basal ganglia, specifically in the striatum. HD displays a wide range of symptoms, from motor disturbances such as chorea, dystonia, and bradykinesia to more debilitating symptoms such as cognitive decline, behavioral abnormalities, and psychiatric disturbances. Current research suggests the potential use of dietary interventions as viable strategies for slowing the progression of HD. Most notably, the Mediterranean, vegan, carnivore, paleo, and ketogenic diets have gained attention due to their hypothesized impact on neuroprotection and symptomatic modulation in various neurodegenerative disorders. Despite substantial nutritional differences among these diets, they share a fundamental premise-that dietary factors have an influential impact in modifying pertinent biological pathways linked to neurodegeneration. Understanding the intricate interactions between these dietary regimens and HD pathogenesis could open avenues for personalized interventions tailored to the individual's specific needs and genetic background. Ultimately, elucidating the multifaceted effects of these diets on HD offers a promising framework for developing comprehensive therapeutic approaches that integrate dietary strategies with conventional treatments., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press.)

This literature review explores the pivotal roles of the Uncoordinated-13 (UNC13) protein family, encompassing UNC13A, UNC13B, UNC13C, and UNC13D, in the pathogenesis of various human diseases. These proteins, which are evolutionarily conserved and crucial for synaptic vesicle priming and exocytosis, have been implicated in a range of disorders, spanning from neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) to immune-related conditions such as familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL). The involvement of UNC13A in neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity is linked to ALS and FTD, with genetic variations affecting disease progression. UNC13B, which is closely related to UNC13A, plays a role in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epilepsy, and schizophrenia. UNC13C is implicated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and has a neuroprotective role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). UNC13D has an essential role in immune cell function, making it a key player in FHL. This review highlights the distinct molecular functions of each UNC13 family member and their implications in disease contexts, shedding light on potential therapeutic strategies and avenues for future research. Understanding these proteins' roles offers new insights into the management and treatment of neurological and immunological disorders., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press.)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and complex neurodegenerative disease of upper and lower motor neurons of the central nervous system. The pathogenesis of this multifaceted disease is unknown. However, diet has emerged as a modifiable risk factor that has neuroprotective effects towards other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia. Thus, this review aims to explore how diet can potentially influence ALS onset and/or progression. In this review, five popular diets (Mediterranean, Vegan, Carnivore, Paleolithic and Ketogenic) and their distinct macromolecule composition, nutritional profile, biochemical pathways and their potential therapeutic effects for ALS are thoroughly examined. However, the composition of these diets varies, and the data is controversial, with conflicting studies on the effectiveness of nutrient intake of several of these diets. Although these five diets show that a higher intake of foods containing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds have a positive correlation towards reducing the oxidative stress of ALS, further research is needed to directly compare the effects of these diets and the mechanisms leading to ALS and its progression., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2023 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press.)