Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disease that is associated with selective and progressive loss of motor neurons. As a consequence, the symptoms of ALS are muscle cramps and weakness, and it eventually leads to death. The general markers for early diagnosis can assist ALS patients in receiving early intervention and prolonging their survival. Recently, some novel approaches or previously suggested methods have validated the potential for early diagnosis of ALS. The purpose of this review is to summarize the status of current general markers discovery and development for early diagnosis of ALS, including genes, proteins neuroimaging, neurophysiology, neuroultrasound, and machine learning models. The main genetic markers evaluated are superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72), transactivation-responsive DNA binding protein 43 (TARDBP), and fused in sarcoma (FUS) genes. Among proteins, neurofilament light chain is still the most established disease-specific adaptive change in ALS. The expression of chitinases, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and inflammatory factors are changed in the early stage of ALS. Besides, more patient-friendly and accessible feature assays are explored by the development of neuroimaging, neurophysiology, and neuroultrasound techniques. The novel disease-specific changes exhibited the promising potential for early diagnosis of ALS. All of these general markers still have limitations in the early diagnosis, therefore there is an urgent need for the validation and development of new disease-specific features for ALS.

The currently available pharmacological anti-dementia treatments provide only temporary and limited benefits. Not surprisingly, patients and professionals increasingly explore non-pharmacological interventions that may alleviate dementia symptoms. Among these interventions is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). A brief review is presented on HBOT use in medicine, with its mode of action in dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s disease, as well as a case report of self-initiated HBOT in a 62-year-old man with a clinical diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s disease. He had over 400 HBOT sessions [2–3 times weekly, with a duration of 30–50 min, in a multi-place hyperbaric chamber at 2 atmospheres absolute (ATA)] over 7 years and use of donepezil (10 mg daily) for the last 3 years when formally diagnosed by the National Health Service (NHS) Memory Service. The patient’s longitudinal neurocognitive and neuroradiological evidence over 7 years of follow-up remained stable (with no major cognitive decline and no behavioral changes) when compared to his initial presentation when diagnosed by the private health provider. His driving remains unimpaired, and he continues to be independent. This highlights the potential HBOT benefits including those on visuospatial ability and activities of daily living in people with Alzheimer’s disease. This case report argues for more extensive research into the clinical effects of HBOT in Alzheimer’s disease. Discussion of HBOT use is along with the latest advances in anti-amyloid immunotherapy for Alzheimer’s disease, as well as HBOT augmentation of current and novel dementia drug delivery via nanotechnology.

Recent investigations have shed light on the potential of seaweed, an abundant source of bioactive compounds, to mitigate and combat neurodegenerative diseases. In this comprehensive review, the accumulating evidence supporting the neuroprotective properties of seaweed-derived compounds is evaluated and their putative mechanisms of action are elucidated. The background of this review encompasses the general understanding of neurodegenerative diseases as debilitating conditions characterized by the progressive loss of nerve cell function and viability in the central nervous system. Furthermore, the global prevalence of these diseases, encompassing Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease, and the persistent absence of effective treatments are emphasized. To address this critical issue, an innovative avenue of research is explored by investigating the potential of seaweed and its diverse array of bioactive compounds. By examining the available literature, the evidence supporting the neuroprotective effects of seaweed-derived compounds is consolidated. These bioactive constituents exhibit promising properties in preventing and mitigating neurodegeneration. Mechanistically, their actions involve intricate pathways that contribute to neuronal survival, reduction of oxidative stress, inhibition of neuroinflammation, and modulation of protein aggregation processes. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of seaweed compounds. In conclusion, this review highlights the potential of seaweed as a valuable source of neuroprotective compounds and underscores the advancements made in this burgeoning field. The identification and elucidation of the mechanisms through which seaweed compounds exert their neuroprotective effects hold promise for the development of novel therapeutic interventions. These findings transcend disciplinary boundaries, offering insight into the potential application of seaweed-derived compounds as a valuable resource for combating neurodegenerative diseases across scientific domains.