Neurodegeneration
Neurodegeneration describes the loss of structure or function to nervous tissue[1]. Neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s, ALS, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s[2].
Most of the physiological mechanisms whereby neurodegenerative diseases develop and progress share the common feature where proteins aggregate – that is, the accumulation of misfolded proteins which clump together either intra or extracellularly[3]. This feature suggests a commonality of the pathological processes of neurodegenerative diseases; this might allow for neuroprotective medicine to be developed to counter protein accumulation[4].
- ↑ Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Medical Dictionary. Retrieved from Merriam-Webster: http://www.merriam-webster.com/medlineplus/neurodegeneration
- ↑ Bredeson, D. (2006). Cell death in the nervous system. Nature, 796-802.
- ↑ Aguzzi, A., & O'Connor, T. (2010). Protein aggregation diseases: pathogenicity and therapeutic perspectives. Nature, 237-248.
- ↑ Nieoullon, A. (2011). Neurodegenerative diseases and neuroprotection: current views and prospects. Journal of Applied Biomedicine, 173-183.