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Protective Effect of Antioxidants on Neuronal Dysfunction and Plasticity in Huntington's Disease
Thirunavukkarasu Velusamy1, Archana S Panneerselvam2, Meera Purushottam3
1Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India; DBT Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship Programme, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi, India.
Insights
Antioxidants show promise in treating Huntington's disease (HD) by combating oxidative stress and promoting neurogenesis. Further research into their mechanisms could unlock new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms.
- Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons, linked to CAG mutations in the HTT gene, are implicated in HD pathogenesis.
- Adult neurogenesis, the brain's regenerative capacity, is crucial for cognitive functions and can be positively modulated by antioxidants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on the therapeutic potential of antioxidants in managing Huntington's disease and other neurological disorders.
- To explore the role of antioxidants in promoting adult neurogenesis and neuroprotection within the context of HD.
- To advocate for new research directions investigating the mechanisms by which antioxidants enhance adult neurogenesis in HD.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of recent studies on antioxidants, Huntington's disease, and adult neurogenesis.
- Analysis of existing data linking oxidative stress, neurodegeneration, and the regenerative potential of the brain.
- Synthesis of findings to identify therapeutic strategies and research gaps.
Main Results:
- Antioxidants show potential in mitigating free radical toxicity and oxidative stress associated with neurodegenerative diseases like HD.
- Positive modulation of adult neurogenesis by antioxidants suggests a promising avenue for neuroprotection and functional recovery in HD.
- Existing research indicates a supportive role for antioxidants in reducing HD severity through enhanced neurogenesis and neuroprotection.
Conclusions:
- Antioxidants represent a promising therapeutic strategy for Huntington's disease, potentially by enhancing neuroprotection and promoting adult neurogenesis.
- Further investigation into the precise mechanisms by which antioxidants influence adult neurogenesis in HD is warranted.
- This review highlights the significant therapeutic scope of antioxidants for managing HD and other neurological conditions.
Abstract:
Huntington's disease (HD) is characterised by movement disorders, cognitive impairments, and psychiatric problems. The abnormal generation of reactive oxygen species and the resulting oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial damage in neurons upon CAG mutations in the HTT gene have been hypothesized as the contributing factors of neurodegeneration in HD. The potential use of antioxidants against free radical toxicity has been an emerging field in the management of ageing and many neurodegenerative disorders. Neural stem cells derived adult neurogenesis represents the regenerative capacity of the adult brain. The process of adult neurogenesis has been implicated in the cognitive functions of the brain and is highly modulated positively by different factors including antioxidants. The supportive role of antioxidants to reduce the severity of HD via promoting the functional neurogenesis and neuroprotection in the pathological adult brain has great promise. This review comprehends the recent studies describing the therapeutic roles of antioxidants in HD and other neurologic disorders and highlights the scope of using antioxidants to promote adult neurogenesis in HD. It also advocates a new line of research to delineate the mechanisms by which antioxidants promote adult neurogenesis in HD.
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