Different Pathways to Neurodegeneration

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E. I. Rogaev^1,2,3,a,b,c

¹Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester MA 01605, USA

²Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia

³Lomonosov Moscow State University, Center of Genetics and Genetic Technologies, 119991 Moscow, Russia

Received June 25, 2018

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The current issue is dedicated to the studies of neurodegenerative diseases and memory. Molecular mechanisms and mutant genes have already been revealed for many neurodegenerative diseases. However, in many cases the cause of selective death of neurons in different brain regions remains unclear. Genetic predisposition and aging are well established risk factors in many neurodegenerative diseases. A large body of evidence has been obtained that shows an important role of immune factors in the modulation of neurodegenerative processes. The progress in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases requires new cell models for identification of non-canonical pharmacological targets and development of approaches for memory regulation. Gene therapy technologies based on genome editing and RNA interference methods are among promising approaches for repairing primary molecular defects underlying neurodegenerative pathologies.

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KEY WORDS: neurodegeneration, mutant genes, aging, memory, Alzheimer’s disease

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297918090018

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