Targeting alpha-synuclein or tau for treating neurodegenerative movement disorders

Abstract

The two commonest groups of neurodegenerative disorders causing movement disorders are synucleinopathies and tauopathies. These disorders are characterised by the accumulation of abnormally misfolded forms of α-synuclein and tau proteins. Our current understanding of their pathogenesis suggests that extracellular forms of these proteins are of major relevance to the mechanism of pathology propagation throughout the brain and disease progression. The most novel approaches to find disease-modifying therapies aim to reduce or block these forms of tau and α-synuclein. This article reviews therapeutic strategies targeting α-synuclein and tau protein which have entered clinical development.

Keywords: Alpha-synuclein; Neurodegeneration; Tau; Therapeutic development.