Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies in Parkinson's Disease: From Pathogenic Signaling to Drug Development

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's Disease (AD), yet no effective disease-modifying therapy is currently available. Its pathogenesis is highly complex, involving multiple interacting pathological processes, which poses substantial challenges for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, PD often has a prolonged prodromal phase and lacks sufficiently sensitive and specific diagnostic methods for early-stage detection, further limiting timely identification and treatment. Current pharmacological therapies mainly provide symptomatic relief, but their long-term use is frequently associated with reduced efficacy and motor complications. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic strategies and potential disease-modifying agents remains an urgent priority. This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms and biomarkers associated with PD, outlines current symptomatic treatments, and discusses emerging therapeutic candidates in clinical development, with particular emphasis on disease-modifying strategies. By integrating pathogenic mechanisms, diagnostic advances, and therapeutic progress, this review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective to support the development of more effective interventions for PD.