Title:Gene Therapy for Alzheimer and Parkinson Diseases
Volume: 23
Issue: 3
Author(s): Jasen F. Saad and Fawzy A. Saad*
Affiliation:
- Department of Orthopaedic
Surgery, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 20115, United States
Keywords:
Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, CRISPR/Cas gene editing, gene therapy, gene drugs, epigenetic drug (epidrug), β-amyloid peptides, α-synuclein, tau aggregates, adeno-associated virus.
Abstract: Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases are associated with cholinergic neuron loss and deterioration
of bone mineral density. Gene therapy through either gene transfer, CRISPR gene editing, or
CRISPR gene modulation holds the potential to cure Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. The emerging
role of weight-bearing exercise in the prevention of, and care for, osteoporosis, obesity, and diabetes
has been previously recognized. Moreover, endurance exercise offers a viable alternative to reduce
amyloid peptides deposits while increasing bone mineral density in Alzheimer and Parkinson patients.
β-amyloid peptides, α-synuclein, and tau aggregates start building up two decades before the onset of
Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. Therefore, an early intervention program for the detection of these
deposits is required to prevent or delay the onset of these diseases. This article spots light on the potential
of gene therapy for Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases.
