ABSTRACT
As one grows older, one is challenged with a number of age-related diseases, particularly those of the brain, of which neurodegenerative diseases are the most prevalent. Overall, this has profound economic and social implications, causing a burden for the health care system. Considerable efforts are being directed toward understanding the mechanisms of the neurodegeneration processes in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, normal aging, stroke and other processes in order to identify possible molecular markers that could be targeted for the development of effective therapies. However, breakthrough treatments or preventive strategies still elude us, and neurodegenerative diseases remain debilitating and largely untreatable conditions.
A plethora of information exists in the literature of potential compounds of both synthetic and natural origin that have beneficial effects on preventing neurodegeneration. A substantial proportion of these substances belong to the terpenoid group. Also called isoprenoids, these naturally occurring organic chemicals make up a diverse class of organic compounds and include terpenes, diterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, which comprise unsaturated molecules composed of linked isoprene units generally having the formula (C5H8)n. These five-carbon isoprene units are assembled and modified in thousands of ways, giving rise to various structures. This chapter collates available information on the effects of terpenoids on neurodegeneration.
