Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions that damage the brain and nerves over time. Here are some important ways this happens:
Oxidative Stress: This happens when harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) build up. These molecules can hurt our cells. It's believed that oxidative stress is responsible for damage in about half of neurodegenerative diseases.
Protein Misfolding and Clumping: In diseases like Alzheimer's, proteins like tau and beta-amyloid don’t fold correctly. Instead, they pile up in the brain. Studies show that more than 25% of older people have a lot of these clumped proteins in their brains.
Neuroinflammation: When certain cells in the brain, called microglia, get activated, they release substances that cause inflammation. This can make brain injury worse. Long-term inflammation is linked to diseases like ALS and MS, with some studies showing a ten times increase in inflammation markers in these conditions.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Mitochondria are the parts of cells that produce energy. When they don't work right, it can affect energy use in the brain. This issue is seen in many neurodegenerative diseases and can impact up to 80% of brain energy needs.
Excitotoxicity: Sometimes, a chemical called glutamate is released in too high amounts. This can kill nerve cells and affect how they work together. An overreaction of NMDA receptors can lead to problems like those seen in Huntington’s disease.
Understanding these issues is very important for creating better treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions that damage the brain and nerves over time. Here are some important ways this happens:
Oxidative Stress: This happens when harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) build up. These molecules can hurt our cells. It's believed that oxidative stress is responsible for damage in about half of neurodegenerative diseases.
Protein Misfolding and Clumping: In diseases like Alzheimer's, proteins like tau and beta-amyloid don’t fold correctly. Instead, they pile up in the brain. Studies show that more than 25% of older people have a lot of these clumped proteins in their brains.
Neuroinflammation: When certain cells in the brain, called microglia, get activated, they release substances that cause inflammation. This can make brain injury worse. Long-term inflammation is linked to diseases like ALS and MS, with some studies showing a ten times increase in inflammation markers in these conditions.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Mitochondria are the parts of cells that produce energy. When they don't work right, it can affect energy use in the brain. This issue is seen in many neurodegenerative diseases and can impact up to 80% of brain energy needs.
Excitotoxicity: Sometimes, a chemical called glutamate is released in too high amounts. This can kill nerve cells and affect how they work together. An overreaction of NMDA receptors can lead to problems like those seen in Huntington’s disease.
Understanding these issues is very important for creating better treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.