Mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders and role of non-pharmacological interventions in improving neurodegeneration and its clinical correlates: A review

TL;DR

This review discusses the mechanisms of neurodegeneration in mild cognitive impairment and explores non-pharmacological interventions like ultrasound ablation and neurofeedback therapy as promising treatments to improve clinical outcomes.

Contribution

It provides an overview of non-drug therapies for MCI and dementia, emphasizing their mechanisms and potential to address neurodegeneration and psychiatric comorbidities.

Findings

Non-pharmacological therapies can induce neuroplasticity and improve behavioral outcomes.

Ultrasound ablation of amyloid plaques shows potential in treating MCI.

Neurofeedback therapy enhances neuroplasticity and behavioral improvements.

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) leading to dementia results in a constellation of psychiatric disorders including depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia and others. With increasing age, mild cognitive impairment leads to increased disability-adjusted life-years and healthcare burden. A huge number of drug trials for the treatment of MCI associated with Alzheimer's disease have undergone failure leading to the development of drugs that could avert the progression of the disease. However, some novel non-drug-based therapies like ultrasound ablation of amyloid plaques have influenced researchers to explore the non-pharmacological modalities for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment. To compensate for neurodegenerative loss resulting in coexisting psychiatric disorders, neurofeedback therapy has also been proven to improve behavioural outcomes by inducing neuroplasticity. The aim of the current review is to highlight the pathophysiological aspects of mild cognitive impairment leading to dementia that could be addressed with no pharmacological interventions and to understand the mechanisms behind the effects of these interventions.