Therapeutic Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Huntington’s disease (HD), represent a growing healthcare challenge. These diseases are not solely characterised by the progressive dysfunction of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), but also encompass a range of pathological features, including protein misfolding, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, glial cell dysfunction, vascular changes, motor symptoms, cognitive decline, and both genetic and environmental factors. While existing treatments for these conditions are limited, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic avenue. This chapter offers an in-depth analysis of EV biology, cargo composition, and molecular mechanisms tailored to their potential applications in NDD therapies. We argue for the significant potential of EVs as targeted drug delivery systems in treating NDDs. The chapter underscores the urgent need for standardisation in EV research, particularly in isolation, purification techniques, and characterisation methods. In addressing the increasing prevalence of NDDs, investigating the therapeutic potential of EVs is a promising avenue, suggesting the possibility of developing more efficacious and comprehensive treatment modalities.