What does neurodegeneration imply?

Neuro degeneration is a combination of two words, neuro meaning nerve cells and degeneration refers to progressive damage. The term neurodegeneration is a process that leads to loss of function of nerves and eventually causes cell death.

Neurodegeneration causes

Causes of neurodegenerative disease vary. An extremely small proportion of less than 5% of patients with degenerative nerve disease is caused by a genetic mutation. Others are thought to be caused by the accumulation of toxins in the brain or loss of mitochondrial function that eventually leads to the creation of neurotoxic molecules. Many of these diseases are caused by medical conditions like tumors or stroke. Sometimes the cause can be unknown as well. 

Neurodegeneration disease

Neurodegenerative diseases are affecting millions of people. The most common neurodegenerative diseases are Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. These kinds of diseases occur when the nerve cell or the peripheral nervous system loses its function and ultimately dies. 

The risk of being affected by a neurodegeneration disease increases with age and genes. A person having a gene makes them more susceptible to certain neurodegenerative diseases. But the severity depends on how much the individual is exposed to environmental factors (pesticides, chemicals, air pollution, tobacco smoke) throughout their life. 

Let’s get to know about some common degenerative nerve diseases-

  • Alzheimer’s disease- Most common cause of dementia in the elderly is Alzheimer’s disorder. 
  • Huntington’s disease- In this disease, symptoms like chorea, athetosis, aggression, dementia, and depression are seen.
  • Parkinson’s disease- In this disorder, there is loss of dopaminergic neurons, and symptoms like tremors, rigidity, postural instability, and shuffling gait are seen.
  • Fredrich ataxia- It is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that causes a lack of coordination and gait abnormality.
  • Lewy body disease- A patient suffering from this disorder suffers from Visual hallucinations, dementia with fluctuating cognition. It is considered dementia 2 degrees to Parkinson’s disease.
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis- A degenerative disorder of upper and lower motor neurons. Symptoms like flaccid paralysis, muscle atrophy, impaired reflexes, and fasciculation are seen in individuals.

These diseases can be serious and life-threatening depending on the type. Most of these diseases have no cure. Treatment helps in minimizing the symptoms and relieving pain.

Neurodegeneration symptoms

In the initial stage, it is a little difficult to detect the symptoms but as the disease progresses, symptoms gradually appear. Some of the symptoms include –

 

  • Cognitive problems-  patients can suffer from dementia, impaired memory, lack of intellectual abilities, and language problems.
  • Controlling movement problems- patience might also face tremors, slow movements, muscular rigidity, and problems in balancing.
  • Insomnia- Can’t get enough sleep.
  • Communication problems
  • Urinary inconsistency
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Depression, anxiety, stress
  • Mood changes

Neurodegeneration in iron accumulation (NBIA) describes a group of progressive degenerative nerve disorders that has clinical features of extrapyramidal. This disorder has evidence of iron accumulation in the basal ganglia of the brain and problems with intellectual abilities. This inherited neurological disorder can result in progressive Parkinsonism, spasticity, retinal degeneration, and dystonia.

NBIA shows symptoms like movement disorders, neuropsychiatric issues, cognitive decline, and seizures. The onset of the disorder can occur at different ages starting from early childhood to late adulthood. If you are suffering from the same or you are concerned you may have, consult an online neurologist or simply go for a neurologist online chat.

Neurodegeneration stroke 

Extensive neurodegeneration can lead to ischemic stroke. In this condition where the white matter integrity is affected. The individual suffers a cognitive decline. Grey matter after ischemic stroke has been described. However, there is very little known about white matter degeneration. It is uncertain whether degeneration occurs throughout the whole brain or just in specific brain areas. 

Neurodegeneration following stroke 

Neurodegeneration in person is encountered and following stroke, loss of heart function, encephalopathy, hypoglycemia. All of these severe disorders are characterized by the generation of free radicals and the evaluation of cellular fatty acids. These conditions cause activation of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Potent blockers of (mtPTP) like Cyclosporin A and its analogy N-methyl-valine-4-cyclosporin A, protect against neuronal death, cerebral ischemia, trauma, and hypoglycemia.

Neurodegeneration post-stroke

Stroke is one of the leading causes of physical disability with degenerative nerve disorders such as dementia and depression. Studies have proved T lymphocytes enter the brain post-stroke treating inflammatory cytokines and targeting for therapeutic benefits. Also, interleukin 17 exacerbates brain tissue, this can enhance recovery and prevent long-term decline. Some drugs target interleukin 17 pathways to prevent stroke sequelae and improve the quality of life.

Neurodegeneration stress response

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of cellular compartments plays a vital role in calcium storage. Disturbances of ER calcium homeostasis results in severe forms of stress interfering with neurodegeneration functions. The ER calcium homeostasis and ER functions are the explanation for impairment in various neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. If you are suffering from such disorders, book an appointment with a top neuro physician in Patna.

Stress neurodegeneration is caused by an altered ER functioning, resulting in the accumulation of misfolded proteins within the ER lumen. This condition is known as ER stress and it can be solved by an unfolded protein response (UPR) that aims to restore proteostasis. However, prolonged cell stress UPR signaling can cause cell death.

Neurodegeneration therapeutic strategies

Based on the amyloid hypothesis, controlling β-amyloid protein (Aβ) accumulation can suppress downstream neurodegeneration, cognitive decline, and tau accumulation. In recent trials (Aβ) protein removal or reducing (Aβ) production has shown efficiency. However, active immunization resulted in clearance of (Aβ). But did not prevent neurodegeneration or tau accumulation. Hence it is very important to develop tau-directed therapies. The pathophysiology of tau-mediated neurodegeneration is unclear. 

 

Neurodegeneration review

 Neurodegeneration is a common set of symptoms seen in individuals as they move forward in their later stages of life. Neurodegeneration leads to memory loss and decreases their quality of life. The pathophysiology process involves the accumulation of misfolded and toxic proteins which results in degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. In the initial stage, the patient should be provided with targeted therapies to slow or prevent the onset of dementia, and depression. In later stages, the symptoms can decline and make a huge difference to the quality of life of the patient.

To have a speedy recovery, get in touch with Dr. Chandril Chugh or get an appointment with an online neurologist. You can find him under the top 10 neuro physicians in Patna, top neurologists in Gwalior. Dr. Chandril Chugh is considered one of the best neurologists in Faridabad and a neurosurgeon in Patna. Also, his ability to treat patients online with compassionate care is remarkable.

It’s better to seek treatments from professionals like neurologists or booking online neurologist consultation, Dr. Chandril Chugh being an online neurologist can be a great and quick way to recover for neurological patients. You can also find him as a neurologist in Punjab, the best neurologist doctor in Delhi, the best neurologist in Faridabad or brain specialist doctor in Faridabad , a migraine doctor in Jaipur or top neurologist in Jaipur or neurologist doctor in Jaipur, the best neurologist in Saket, neurologist in South Delhi or best neurologist in South delhi, neurologist in Agra or a mind doctor in Agra, mind doctor in Delhi, top neuro physician in Patna and a top neurologist in Gwalior, famous neurologist in Gwalior or neurologist doctor in Gwalior. He is also amongst the top 5 neurologist in Patna and top 10 neurologist in Delhi ncr, and is also famous for his long distance senior care services. They will guide you to the right path and assure you that you don’t lose track. Having a piece of expert advice with you is of the utmost importance when you’re in a deplorable state.

FAQs

What are the most common neurodegenerative diseases?

The most common neurodegenerative disorders are Parkinson’s disease and  Alzheimer’s disease.

Name three common nervous system disorders?

The common three problems of the brain and nervous system include multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease,  epilepsy, and the ability to perform day-to-day activities.

 

Also Read: