Metabolomics: A new approach towards identifying biomarkers and therapeutic targets in CNS disorders

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are poorly understood disorders for which there are no effective therapies. Both genetic and environmental factors are thought to contribute to these disease states, which involve a different subset of neurons in each case. Many of these conditions manifest themselves late in life and are therefore considered to be diseases of aging. Thus, as life expectancy increases, the prevalence of these diseases will increase as well. The current patient population of around 15 million is expected to grow to 20 million by 2010. Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), which include psychiatric disorders as well as neurodegenerative diseases, have major economic impact. © 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. All rights reserved.