Neurodegenerative Disorders as Systemic Diseases

Keiji Wada, M.D., Ph.D., National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan

This book sheds new light on neurodegenerative disorders as systemic diseases. Classically, neuronal cell death was a hallmark of such disorders. However, it has become evident that neural dysfunction is more important in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. More recently, the prionoid-spreading hypothesis of disease-causing molecules has attracted a great deal of attention. Therapeutic strategies thus must be reconsidered in the light that neurodegenerative disorders are indeed systemic diseases. The first part of this book introduces the concept of neurodegeneration in biology and pathophysiology. The second part focuses on clinical evaluation and biomarkers from the perspective of this new concept, while the third summarizes the risk factors of neurodegeneration. The fourth part of this work indicates future directions of treatment, and the final part discusses health promotion for prevention and quality of life. This book will be of interest to both researchers and medical personnel, and provides a fresh approach to neurodegenerative diseases, paving the way to new research and improved quality of health care for patients.

With multi-faceted coverage ranging from basic research to clinical and social care strategies, this volume represents a conceptual shift in our view of neurodegenerative disorders, advocating a systemic approach that goes beyond specialist neuroscience.

Enriches understanding of brain disorders by considering the world outside the brain

PART I A NEW CONCEPT OF NEURODEGENERATION IN BIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY.- 1 Conformational disease and RNA disease theory in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.- 2 Brain-peripheral organ communication.- 3 The brain-immune network in spinal cord injury.- PART II CHANGES IN CLINICAL EVALUATION AND NEW BIOMARKERS.- 4 Renovation of clinical evaluation and new biomarkers.- 5 Clinical Systems Neuroscience.- PART III RISK FACTORS IN NEURODEGENERATION.- 6 Genetic risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases.- 7 Intermediate phenotypes approach for neuropsychiatric disorders.- PART IV FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THERAPY.- 8 Significance of mechanism-oriented research toward neuronal protection therapy against neurodegenerative disorders ~ ZNRF1 E3 ubiquitin ligase as a critical mediator for Wallerian degeneration and neuronal apoptosis.- 9 Drug development for neurodegenerative diseases.- 10 Physical therapy and rehabilitation in patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases: current evidence and future direction.- 11 Home- and Community-based medical care for neurodegenerative diseases -ALS as an illustration-.- PART V HEALTH PROMOTION: PREVENTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE.- 12 Information Environment and Brain Function: A New Concept of the Environment for the Brain.- 13 Social Implementation of Neurodegenerative Disease Research and Neuroethics.-