A wide range of neurodegenerative diseases affect the central nervous system (CNS) and lead to impaired sensory, motor, and cognitive processes. This impairment can lead to permanent damage to neuronal health and eventual neuronal death. The complex disease pathophysiology and poorly studied underlying mechanisms have led to an increase in therapeutic efforts, which have historically been proven to be difficult.

PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC®) protein degraders open up new and exciting opportunities for degrading disease-causing mutants and protein aggregates, starting with tauopathies and synucleinopathies. Some hallmarks of the new generation of PROTACs are improved pharmacology to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), increased catalytic activity to break down aggregates to prevent diffusion to healthy neurons, and the ability to adapt to new delivery mechanisms.