Novel Metabolic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Strategies in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Metabolic changes are a major cause of pathophysiological alterations in neurodegenerative diseases. Recent metabolic profiling studies have led to the identification of numbers of low-molecular-weight metabolites and their intermediates’ association with neurodegenerative diseases. Further, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and epilepsy display specific alterations in metabolic profiles, which can also be used as biomarkers. Targeting these metabolites could be a possible therapeutic strategy for the management of neurodegenerative diseases. Biomaterials can play an important role in managing neurodegenerative diseases. Numerous studies have shown potential of biomaterials such as exosomes, nanoparticles, hydrogels, carbon-based nanomaterials, nanofibers, and self-assembling peptides in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, in the present chapter, we have tried to provide comprehensive understanding of metabolites as biomarkers for identification of NDDs and possible intervention in the management of disease using biomaterials.