The modern “Nutrition 3.0” model will be introduced focusing on the growing interest in nutraceutical bioactive compounds. In particular, the role of biochemical research in identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning the protective/preventive role of nutraceutical molecules against aging and neurodegeneration will be considered. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s diseases, are multifactorial disorders characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the central nervous system. Although each neurodegenerative disease exhibits specific pathological features, they also share some common molecular mechanisms, such as abnormal protein aggregation, mitochondrial disfunction, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. The lack of effective treatments and the multi-factorial etiology of these disorders has developed a pressing need to identify preventive/therapeutic compounds with pleiotropic activity. Among the many risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases, the aging process has the strongest impact and the investigation on basic mechanisms of aging and their role in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disease are fundamental to develop effective preventive/therapeutic strategies.
01/06/2022 Silvana Hrelia and Cristina Angeloni University of Bologna