An Overview of Next Generation Sequencing and its Application in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract

Sanger sequencing has helped us lay the foundation for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Neurodegenerative diseases are least curative in nature when compared to others and the only measures that can be taken are at the onset stages which are easy to treat. This is where Next Generation Sequencing comes into play. This paper discusses four randomly selected neurodegenerative diseases namely; Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Ataxia and Multiple Sclerosis, their respective mutated genes, their possible causes and treatment. NGS technologies have been used to study and detect these diseases, which are discussed later. With the advent of NGS, it has been possible to sequence and study genomes at a much faster rate and in a much shorter span of time. The scope of NGS and the basis of its functionality have been thoroughly deliberated.