Detoxification and age-related neurodegenerative diseases: Correlation and therapeutic potential

Age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are associated with substantial mortality and morbidity. The etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases are not fully understood, which impedes the development of new therapies. Emerging epidemiological evidence has revealed that environmental toxicants substantially contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases through mechanisms involving compromised endogenous detoxification systems. This review synthesizes epidemiological and clinical evidence from human studies elucidating the crucial role of detoxification impairment in AD and PD pathogenesis, complemented by mechanistic insights from preclinical models. We also discuss novel therapeutic strategies targeting nuclear receptor signaling pathways—particularly the pregnane X receptor (PXR)—to restore detoxification capacity and modify disease trajectories.