Understanding the Role of Human Caspases in Neuronal Apoptosis and Neurodegenerative Diseases

By Anil Gupta, the book “Human Caspases and Neuronal Apoptosis in Neurodegenerative Diseases” delves into the role of caspase enzymes in initiating molecular events that lead to neuronal apoptosis in neurodegenerative diseases. The book begins with an introduction to neuropathology, neurogenetics, and the epidemiology of neurodegenerative diseases, illustrating the involvement of human caspases, neuronal apoptosis, apoptotic pathways, genetic polymorphisms, and other factors in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease.

A key focus in all chapters is the intricate mechanisms and interplay that occur during or leading to neuron death in neurodegenerative diseases, along with disease pathobiology. The book provides in-depth knowledge about the neurotoxic potential of transition metals, impaired mitochondrial dynamics in brain neurons, mutant proteins A peptide, tau protein, a-synuclein, huntingtin protein, and the formation of Lewy bodies, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, ubiquitin proteasome dysregulation, and many others in neurodegenerative diseases.

Elucidating neurogenetics, the book covers the gene APP, gene PSEN1, gene APOE, gene LRRK2, gene DJ1, and others in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. It explains caspases-mediated neuronal apoptosis in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, covering amyloidogenesis, caspase-activated DNase, rho-associated coiled coil-containing protein kinase 1, mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1, the role of synaptic loss, microglial TREM2 receptor, microglial LRP1 receptor, microglial advanced glycation end-product receptor, astrocytic glial a 7 subtypes of nAChR, NLRP3 inflammasome, P2X purinoreceptors, miRNAs, and many other factors.

The book also demonstrates the role of caspases and apoptosis in Parkinson’s disease, covering truncation of a-synuclein, neuroinflammation, parkin protein, activation of microglial cells, extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis, ?tau314, and several other factors. Furthermore, it explains the etiopathogenesis of Huntington’s disease through covering clinically important topics such as the role of exon 1 HTT protein, the ubiquitous nature of huntingtin, the length of the expanded polyglutamine tract, classically and alternately activated microglia, nuclear factor kappa B, kynurenine signaling pathway, tumor suppressor protein, PGC-1a gene, advanced glycation end-products, autophagy, and many other significant topics.

Published by Elsevier Science, this book is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists, and medical professionals interested in understanding the complex mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. It provides comprehensive insights into the molecular and genetic aspects of these diseases, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets and avenues for further research.