Neuropsychiatric disturbances usually appear earlier than the cognitive symptoms as a result of the heterogeneous neuropathic and neurochemical alterations present in different kinds of dementia.

Such disorders are highly affected (and often activated) by environmental factors, especially by the relationship between the patient and the caregivers The bio-medical approach is based on the pathology and on interventions aiming at mitigating the symptoms or curing the disease. We should aim at improving the quality of life, rather than focusing simply on health care.

Behavioural disorders severely affect the quality of life of the patients and their families, resulting in the patients’ hospitalisation and frequently provoking burn-out syndrome on the carers. The objective of our study was to evaluate the care burden in relation to behavioural Disturbances.

The review provides an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms in heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity and the therapeutic use of natural products in ASD intervention. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway has been linked to autism spectrum disorder characterized by a decline in social interaction and difficulties in communication as well as repetitive behaviors, which is pivotal in the disease pathogenesis and exacerbated by heavy metal toxicity. Heavy metals including lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium have been found to interfere with cellular processes, impairing neurodevelopment and resulting in abnormal signaling cascades, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal damage through mechanistic induction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction as well as disruption of metal homeostasis—all of which dysregulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Preclinical investigations have demonstrated that polyphenols, flavonoids, and herbal extract shows the potential to modulate the neuroprotective pathway, synaptic flexibility, and inflammation through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metal binding properties that subdue heavy metal-induced neurotoxicity and restore regular PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Further research is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action of these natural compounds and evaluate their clinical efficacy.