Transformation into Treatment: Novel Therapeutics that Begin within the Cell

Abstract

Neuronal and vascular injury associated with several disease entities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebrovascular disease was initially believed to be irreversible. Yet, it has become increasingly evident that either acute or chronic modulation of the cellular and molecular environment within the brain can prevent or even reverse cellular injury. Irrespective of the initial insult to the nervous system, the activity and interplay among specific cellular signal transduction pathways in a cell will ultimately determine the extent of injury to the brain. In order to develop rational, efficacious, and safe therapy against neurodegenerative disorders, one must first elucidate potentially critical cellular pathways that control neuronal and vascular injury. In particular, previously unrecognized cellular mechanisms that are endogenous to the brain, but may have been considered without close association to the nervous system may offer the most novel and potent therapeutic strategies.