Dementia and neurodegenerative diseases: What is known and what is promising at the cellular and molecular level

Millions of people worldwide are affected by neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment, which includes dementia, while there are only symptomatic treatments available for this syndrome at present. However, several important prospective drug targets have been identified in recent years that can potentially arrest or even reverse the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Their natural or synthetic ligands are currently in the experimental stage of drug development. In vitro and preclinical (e.g. using animal models) studies confirm their therapeutic potential, but clinical trials often fail or produce conflicting results. Here, we first review the complexity and typology of dementia, followed by the discussion of currently available treatments, and, finally, some novel molecular and cellular approaches to this problem.