Future Directions and Challenges in Enzyme Research for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) pose a significant health challenge characterized by progressive neuronal loss and cognitive decline. Despite extensive research, effective therapeutic interventions remain elusive, necessitating the exploration of innovative approaches. Enzymes, with their specificity and catalytic prowess, emerge as promising candidates for ND treatment. This chapter reviews the current landscape of enzyme research in NDs, emphasizing key areas like protein aggregation modulation, neuroinflammation control, and metabolic pathway repair. The discussion also delves into challenges hindering clinical translation, including the intricate nature of NDs, the absence of reliable biomarkers, protein misfolding complexities, and the need for multitarget therapeutic strategies. Moreover, challenges such as the development of early diagnostic tools and overcoming blood-brain barrier limitations are explored. Future research directions are proposed, encompassing strategies like targeting protein aggregation, modulating protein-folding pathways, computational modeling, enzyme design, delivery and targeting strategies, protein and gene delivery systems, nanozymes, molecular imaging, stem cell therapy, and novel technologies in enzyme research. Addressing these challenges and leveraging the unique potential of enzymes may usher in a promising era for ND treatment.