Neuroprotective strategies for basal ganglia degeneration: Parkinson's andHuntington's diseases

There are three main mechanisms of neuronal cell death which may act separa tely or cooperatively to cause neurodegeneration. This lethal triplet of me tabolic compromise, excitotoxicity, and oxidative stress causes neuronal ce ll death that is both necrotic and apoptotic in nature. Aspects of each of these three mechanisms are believed to play a role in the neurodegeneration that occurs in both Parkinsons and Huntington's diseases. Strategies to re scue or protect injured neurons usually involve promoting neuronal growth a nd function or interfering with neurotoxic processes. Considerable research has been done on testing a large array of neuroprotective agents using ani mal models which mimic these disorders. Some of these approaches have progr essed to the clinical arena. Here, we review neuroprotective strategies whi ch have been found to successfully ameliorate the neurodegeneration associa ted with Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. First, we will give an over view of the mechanisms of cell death and the background of Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. Then we will elaborate on a range of neuroprotective strategies, including neurotrophic factors, anti-excitotoxins, antioxidant s, bioenergetic supplements, anti-apoptotics, immunosuppressants, and cell transplantation techniques. Most of these approaches hold promise as potent ial therapies in the treatment of these disorders. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All lights reserved.