| Summary: | Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington and Alzheimer’s disease are characterized by neuronal death and loss in different areas of the brain. Downstream signaling mechanisms associated to cellular death/survival are altered, where mitochondrial damage and inflammation, dysfunctional autophagy process, and accumulation of toxins proteins play a central role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. The disabling effects of these diseases on health system are high and greatly affect the health and daily lifestyle of patients. In this context, pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, which are used in palliative and preventive treatments, have been widely assessed in human patients, as well as animal and cellular models in the last decades. However, the genetics and epigenetics factors of any disease can cause different paths in its progression. Nutritional and biochemical therapy approaches by activation or manipulation of different transcription factors such as Nrf2, PPARα, CREB and TEFB in animal and cellular models have shown protective effects against neurodegeneration. Some of these therapies include caloric restriction diet, use of glutathione precursors and Mediterranean diet. This work highlights the evidences of different nutritional and biochemical approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and how novel research approaches, such as the use of systems biology, will allow a better comprehension of key processes and biological responses involved in these diseases.
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