Across neurodegenerative diseases, common mechanisms may reveal novel therapeutic targets based on neuronal protection, repair, or regeneration, independent of etiology or site of disease pathology. To address these mechanisms and discuss emerging treatments, in April, 2021, Glaucoma Research Foundation, BrightFocus Foundation, and the Melza M. and Frank Theodore Barr Foundation collaborated to bring together key opinion leaders and experts in the field of neurodegenerative disease for a virtual meeting titled “Solving Neurodegeneration”. This “think-tank” style meeting focused on uncovering common mechanistic roots of neurodegenerative disease and promising targets for new treatments, catalyzed by the goal of finding new treatments for glaucoma, the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness and the common interest of the three hosting foundations. Glaucoma, which causes vision loss through degeneration of the optic nerve, likely shares early cellular and molecular events with other neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Here we discuss major areas of mechanistic overlap between neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system: neuroinflammation, bioenergetics and metabolism, genetic contributions, and neurovascular interactions. We summarize important discussion points with emphasis on the research areas that are most innovative and promising in the treatment of neurodegeneration yet require further development. The research that is highlighted provides unique opportunities for collaboration that will lead to efforts in preventing neurodegeneration and ultimately vision loss.

中文翻译：

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解决神经退行性疾病：新疗法的常见机制和策略

在神经退行性疾病中，共同的机制可能揭示基于神经元保护、修复或再生的新治疗靶点，而与病因或疾病病理部位无关。为了解决这些机制并讨论新兴治疗方法，青光眼研究基金会、BrightFocus 基金会以及 Melza M. 和 Frank Theodore Barr 基金会于 2021 年 4 月合作，召集神经退行性疾病领域的关键意见领袖和专家召开虚拟会议标题为“解决神经退行性疾病”。这次“智库”式会议的重点是揭示神经退行性疾病的常见机制根源和新治疗的有希望的目标，其目标是寻找青光眼新疗法，造成不可逆转失明的全球首要原因，也是三个主办基金会的共同利益。青光眼通过视神经变性导致视力丧失，可能与中枢神经系统的其他神经退行性疾病共享早期细胞和分子事件。在这里，我们讨论中枢神经系统神经退行性疾病之间机械重叠的主要领域：神经炎症、生物能量学和代谢、遗传贡献和神经血管相互作用。我们总结了重要的讨论要点，重点关注在神经退行性疾病治疗中最具创新性和前景但需要进一步发展的研究领域。