The potential of trehalose in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Mechanisms of action and application to Parkinson’s disease.
Authorship
D.P.G.
Bachelor of Nursing (2ª ed) [S]
D.P.G.
Bachelor of Nursing (2ª ed) [S]
Defense date
02.11.2026 10:00
02.11.2026 10:00
Summary
Introduction: neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, constitute a major public health problem due to their high prevalence, progressive nature, and the lack of therapies capable of modifying disease progression. These disorders are characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins and alterations in the autophagy lysosomal pathway. In this context, trehalose, a natural disaccharide, has attracted increasing interest as a potential neuroprotective agent due to its ability to modulate autophagy and reduce protein aggregation. Objectives: to evaluate the therapeutic potential of trehalose in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, with special emphasis on Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, its biological properties and the cellular mechanisms involved in its potential neuroprotective effects were analyzed. Methods: a literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, following the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: the analyzed studies show that trehalose exerts neuroprotective effects in preclinical models of various neurodegenerative diseases by reducing the abnormal aggregation of proteins such as alpha synuclein, tau, and mutant huntingtin, and by promoting activation of the autophagy lysosomal pathway in most studies. In Parkinson’s disease, the results indicate effects dependent on dose, route of administration and experimental model, with evidence of both beneficial and controversial outcomes. Available clinical data are limited and restricted to pilot studies in other pathologies. Conclusions: trehalose shows promising therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly due to its ability to modulate common pathogenic mechanisms. However, most of the available evidence is based on preclinical studies, which currently limits its extrapolation to humans. Controlled clinical trials with larger sample sizes are required to confirm its efficacy and safety.
Introduction: neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, constitute a major public health problem due to their high prevalence, progressive nature, and the lack of therapies capable of modifying disease progression. These disorders are characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins and alterations in the autophagy lysosomal pathway. In this context, trehalose, a natural disaccharide, has attracted increasing interest as a potential neuroprotective agent due to its ability to modulate autophagy and reduce protein aggregation. Objectives: to evaluate the therapeutic potential of trehalose in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, with special emphasis on Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, its biological properties and the cellular mechanisms involved in its potential neuroprotective effects were analyzed. Methods: a literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, following the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: the analyzed studies show that trehalose exerts neuroprotective effects in preclinical models of various neurodegenerative diseases by reducing the abnormal aggregation of proteins such as alpha synuclein, tau, and mutant huntingtin, and by promoting activation of the autophagy lysosomal pathway in most studies. In Parkinson’s disease, the results indicate effects dependent on dose, route of administration and experimental model, with evidence of both beneficial and controversial outcomes. Available clinical data are limited and restricted to pilot studies in other pathologies. Conclusions: trehalose shows promising therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly due to its ability to modulate common pathogenic mechanisms. However, most of the available evidence is based on preclinical studies, which currently limits its extrapolation to humans. Controlled clinical trials with larger sample sizes are required to confirm its efficacy and safety.
Direction
DIAZ RUIZ, MARIA DEL CARMEN (Tutorships)
DIAZ RUIZ, MARIA DEL CARMEN (Tutorships)
Court
GANDOY CREGO, MANUEL (Chairman)
JORGE SOTO, CRISTINA (Secretary)
TAKKOUCHE SOUILAMAS, EL BAHI (Member)
GANDOY CREGO, MANUEL (Chairman)
JORGE SOTO, CRISTINA (Secretary)
TAKKOUCHE SOUILAMAS, EL BAHI (Member)
Undergraduate dissertation. Anxiety in older adults: prevalence and therapeutic interventions. A systematic review.
Authorship
C.R.A.
Bachelor of Nursing (2ª ed) [S]
C.R.A.
Bachelor of Nursing (2ª ed) [S]
Defense date
02.11.2026 10:00
02.11.2026 10:00
Summary
Introduction - Anxiety in older adults is a relevant and often underdiagnosed health problem, impacting quality of life, functionality, and healthcare use. Objectives - General: to determine the prevalence of anxiety and interventions for its prevention. Specific: to identify prevalence and analyze preventive strategies in different healthcare settings. Method - A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, including individuals aged 60 or older. Preventive interventions were analyzed comparing results before and after or against control groups. The search included PubMed, Scielo, Cochrane, NIH Clinical Trials, and specialized journals from 2015 to 2026. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed, and data were collected on study characteristics, participants, interventions, and outcomes. Results - Nine systematic reviews and 20 clinical trials were included. Anxiety prevalence ranged from 16 to 28 percent. Pharmacological treatments, especially antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, showed efficacy. Evidence for benzodiazepines is limited and at high risk of bias. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and physical exercise (mind-body and resistance), significantly reduced anxiety. Conclusions - Anxiety is frequent and often underdiagnosed in older adults. A comprehensive approach combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions tailored to individual needs may improve prevention and clinical outcomes.
Introduction - Anxiety in older adults is a relevant and often underdiagnosed health problem, impacting quality of life, functionality, and healthcare use. Objectives - General: to determine the prevalence of anxiety and interventions for its prevention. Specific: to identify prevalence and analyze preventive strategies in different healthcare settings. Method - A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, including individuals aged 60 or older. Preventive interventions were analyzed comparing results before and after or against control groups. The search included PubMed, Scielo, Cochrane, NIH Clinical Trials, and specialized journals from 2015 to 2026. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed, and data were collected on study characteristics, participants, interventions, and outcomes. Results - Nine systematic reviews and 20 clinical trials were included. Anxiety prevalence ranged from 16 to 28 percent. Pharmacological treatments, especially antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, showed efficacy. Evidence for benzodiazepines is limited and at high risk of bias. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and physical exercise (mind-body and resistance), significantly reduced anxiety. Conclusions - Anxiety is frequent and often underdiagnosed in older adults. A comprehensive approach combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions tailored to individual needs may improve prevention and clinical outcomes.
Direction
NUÑEZ IGLESIAS, MARIA JESUS (Tutorships)
NUÑEZ IGLESIAS, MARIA JESUS (Tutorships)
Court
GANDOY CREGO, MANUEL (Chairman)
JORGE SOTO, CRISTINA (Secretary)
TAKKOUCHE SOUILAMAS, EL BAHI (Member)
GANDOY CREGO, MANUEL (Chairman)
JORGE SOTO, CRISTINA (Secretary)
TAKKOUCHE SOUILAMAS, EL BAHI (Member)