Neurodegeneration

What is meant by neurodegeneration?

The term “neurodegeneration” is made up of two words: “neuro,” which refers to nerve cells, and “degeneration,” which means progressive damage. When we use the term “neurodegeneration,” we are talking about various situations in which the nerve cells in our bodies are gradually damaged. This damage worsens over time and affects our ability to think and make decisions. This process is a key component of many diseases, classified as “neurodegenerative diseases.” Among the many disorders in this category, only a few have received significant attention. The most well-known are Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease, also known as Alzheimer’s dementia,... More. Unfortunately, many other diseases in this group have not received as much attention. All of these conditions cause progressive damage to the brain over time and are linked to neurodegeneration. Although these diseases show different signs in people, the processes that damage brain cells seem similar on a smaller scale. For example, Parkinson’s disease affects a part of the brain called the “basal ganglia” and reduces the amount of a chemical called dopamineA neurotransmitter found in the brain and central nervous sy... More. This causes problems such as muscle stiffness, rigidity, and tremors, which are common symptoms of the disease. In Alzheimer’s disease, tiny protein clumps form in the brain that damage different areas, causing progressive memory loss. Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder that gradually worsens, affecting major muscles in the body and leading to severe movement problems and, eventually, death.

Causes of neurodegeneration

Only a very small fraction, less than 5%, of neurodegenerative diseases can be attributed to genetic mutations. The rest is believed to arise from the following factors:

• Accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain
• Impaired mitochondrial function, leading to the production of molecules harmful to neurons

Although causes can vary, experts generally agree that the outcome tends to be the activation of apoptosis or programmed cell death. This essentially happens when a cell deliberately ends its life to protect nearby neurons from harmful substances.

Current research: possible treatments

Currently, there are no cures for neurodegeneration. In the various types of these diseases, medications can only help alleviate symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life. For example, in some people with Alzheimer’s disease, memantine and donepezil may slightly slow the progression of dementiaDementia is a medical condition characterized by the progres... More symptoms, while in Parkinson’s disease, levodopa can increase dopamine levels in the brain to relieve some main symptoms. Despite the growing number of cases of these diseases, effective therapies for treating them are still limited. Research focuses on the similarities in neurodegeneration that occur in each of these three diseases. By identifying these similarities, scientists hope to better understand disease mechanisms to develop new treatments and strategies useful for patients affected by these conditions. In addition to this unified understanding of neurodegenerative processes, the main research goals include:

• Further investigation into the genetics underlying neurodegeneration
• Better understanding of early symptoms and signs associated with neurodegeneration
• Development of more precise tests to identify these conditions before significant neuronal loss occurs
• Identification of specific patient groups who respond better to certain treatments, allowing intervention as early as possible in disease progression