Chronic neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis impose a heavy burden on the population. While there is currently no cure for such chronic neurological diseases, there are treatments available that can help control symptoms.
The most common chronic neurological conditions include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Myasthenia gravis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Epilepsy
Recently, a number of therapies have been developed to treat neurological complications. Many of the neurological disorder treatments are experimenting with deep brain stimulation, which involves surgically implanting devices to deliver electrical stimulations to the brain. Some treatments for chronic neurological conditions include novel drug therapies, neural prosthetics such as intracranial electrostimulation devices and advanced-level gene therapy and stem cell therapy, although clinical trials are still underway for all of these approaches. With the help of futuristic research tools like next-generation DNA sequencing techniques, scientists are already on the verge of a breakthrough. Most of these include identifying novel neurological targets and developing treatments for neurological diseases.
In this blog, we shall learn about the above mentioned chronic neurological diseases, and how scientists are constantly working to develop new and better treatments.
Alzheimer’s disease
A progressive neurologic disorder, the disease is characterised by brain cell death leading to shrinkage or atrophy. Alzheimer’s disease causes can be traced back to the eventual decline in the production of acetylcholine, a biochemical associated with memory and thinking. Right treatment can provide people with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green signal for Aducanumab on 7th June 2021, making it the only disease-modifying medication approved to treat Alzheimer’s. It helps to reduce amyloid deposits in the brain and may help in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s. If you are experiencing recurrent symptoms or are not comfortable with your present treatment, do not delay consulting the best neurologists online. The best Neurologists in Delhi can help you optimise your Alzheimer’s disease treatment plan, recommend diet, exercises and the required prescriptions that help you improve health outcomes.
Parkinson’s disease
This is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. It may start with barely noticeable tremors in the hand eventually leading to stiffness and loss of movement.
One of the major causes of Parkinson’s diseases is a reduced amount of dopamine as a direct result of nerve cells damage. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control movement. As a result, people with Parkinson’s disease may experience a wide range of symptoms, such as tremors, stiffness, and problems with balance and coordination. Current drug treatments for Parkinson’s disease work by boosting the levels of dopamine in the brain or by mimicking its effects.
Science Daily, on 7th October 2021, reported that researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have found out promising results of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) that can extend therapeutic benefits especially in the case of Parkinson’s disease.
Myasthenia gravis
This is a neuromuscular disorder that is characterised by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under voluntary control. Impairment is generally seen in the muscles of the eye, throat, neck and limbs. There is no cure at present although current treatment provides only temporary relief to the weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing.
Efgartigimod is currently under review with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Generalized Myasthenia gravis (gMG) with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of 17 December 2021. It has been developed by Argenx, a Belgium pharmaceutical company and if approved, would be the first-and-only approved Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) antagonist.
Multiple sclerosis
Disablement of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) often leads to multiple sclerosis (MS). The body’s immune system attacks myelin or the protective sheath covering nerve fibres causing communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Thus, it is also identified as an autoimmune disease.
The latest new medication for MS is the drug – Ponesimod (Ponvory), which was cleared by US-FDA in March 2021. It is a once-daily oral treatment and has been shown to reduce annual relapses for relapsing types of MS by 30.5 per cent as compared to other drugs, in addition to brain lesions.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder. Patients affected by this disease find that their brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations and sometimes loss of awareness.
In 2018 and 2020, the FDA approved deep brain stimulation devices, both manufactured by the same company Medtronic which has slight differences in model-upgradations. While both send electrical pulses through the brain to reduce the frequency of seizures, the modified version allows doctors to treat epilepsy and record electrical activity from deep in the brain with a more customized therapy.
In case neurological complications persist, and you’re having doubts about whether or not current treatments are best suited for you, get in touch with our accomplished The best Neurologists in Delhi. Make smart and informed decisions empowered by the clinical expertise of the best neurosurgeon offered by SeekMed. Get easy access to the best neurologists online who suggest affordable and convenient treatment options and health coverage services.
