neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons,...

Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons. Many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson´s and Alzheimer´s occur as a result of neurodegenerative processes.

Introduction

Para-sagittal MRI of the head in a patient with benign familial macrocephaly.

Alzheimer´s Disease

• Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT) or simply Alzheimer's, is the most common form of dementia. This incurable, degenerative, and terminal disease was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathology’s Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him.

Stages:• Pre-dementia:The most noticeable deficit is

memory loss and inability to acquire new information.

• Early:Difficulties with language, executive functions, perception, or execution of movements

• Moderate:Memory problems increase, the person sometimes can’t recognize close relatives. Long-term memory, which was previously becomes impaired.

• Advanced:the person is completely dependent upon caregivers. Muscle  and mobility deteriorate until they are bedridden, and lose the ability to feed themselves.

Treatement

• Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and the people who take care of them.

Multiple Sclerosis

• A chronic, progressive neurologic disease characterized by scattered demyelination of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord.

Stephen Hawking

MS- Incidence

• Peak onset 20-40 years of age

• 70% between ages 21-40

• Rarely prior to age 10 or after age 60

• F > M (approx. 2:1)

• White > non-white (2:1)

.

Risk factorsRisk factorsAutoimmune processViral infectionAllergic reactions to infectionFamilial tendencies.Cool, temperature climates

Results Of DemyelinationResults Of Demyelination

•Conduction block at site of lesion•Slower conduction time along affected nerve•Increased subjective feeling of fatigue secondary to compensation for neurologic deficits

Cerebellar signsCerebellar signs-Incoordination (problems with heel-to-shin test) -Slowing of rapid repeating movements -Scanning speech -Loss of balance

PARKINSON

Researchers don´t know when Parkinson´s disease started but medical scientists have been treating Parkinson´s disease for thousands of years. Was known before as the «shaking palsy»

The first medical text appeared about 2,500 years ago in China.There are many foundations that have joined to help people with Parkinson´s disease.

Some of the symptoms are:•Tremors

•Rigidity

•Bradykinesia (slowness in voluntary movement)

•Postural instability

•Parkinsonian gait (people with advanced Parkinson´s disease develop a shuffling walk)

•Anxiety

•Depression

Causes:

The lack of dopamine causes the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.Genetic and pathological studies reveal that inflammation, and stress can contribute to cell damage.Scientists suspect that the loss of dopamine is due genetic and environmental factors.

Scientists and researchers haven´t found the cure of Parkinson´s Disease.

People with PD still attend to therapies so that their dopamine levels can increase!

The most effective therapy is levodopa (Sinemet), because its directly converted into dopamine in the brain.

National Parkinson Foundation

http://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-Disease/DiagnosisAnd WIKIPEDIA

http://www.everydayhealth.com/parkinsons-disease/history-of-parkinsons-disease.aspx

•http://www.medicinenet.com/parkinsons_disease/page5.htm#treatment

REFERENCES

MedicinenetEveryday Health

By Sofia Del Barrio Rey and Andrés Savchynets