Antioxidants and their applicability in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases constitute a diverse group of pathologies that generally emerge at older ages and are strongly linked to aging. Oxidative stress is a key factor in the degeneration of the central nervous system (CNS), contributing to neurotoxicity, cell death, and senescence. Antioxidants are substances that reduce or inhibit oxidation caused by free radicals and can be of endogenous or exogenous origin. To investigate the development of antioxidant therapies that enhance the physiological antioxidant system’s capacity, considering the essential role of oxidative stress in neuronal dysfunction. This is a literature review, searching for articles published in the last 5 years. Several epidemiological studies suggest that certain compounds present in the diet, which possess neurogenic properties, may positively impact brain aging and the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. While there is evidence suggesting a potential beneficial effect of antioxidants in mitigating damages related to neurodegenerative diseases, more research and data are still needed to confirm this relationship.