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	'''Neurodegenerative disorders''' are diseases in which nerve cells lose function over time and may eventually die. They can affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, movement, memory, language, thinking, behaviour and daily independence.

Neurodegenerative disorders refer to a group of progressive diseases that primarily affect the structure and function of the nervous system, leading to the degeneration and loss of neurons over time. These disorders are characterized by the gradual decline of cognitive abilities, movement control, or both. Neurodegenerative disorders are typically chronic and incurable, causing significant impairment in an individual's daily life. They can have a profound impact on the affected individual as well as their family and caregivers.
	These conditions are usually progressive. Some progress slowly over many years, while others move faster. Treatment depends on the disorder and often focuses on symptoms, function, safety and support.

== Overview ==	== Overview ==
Neurodegenerative disorders can affect various regions of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. The specific symptoms and disease progression can vary depending on the affected area. Some of the most well-known neurodegenerative disorders include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS).
	Neurodegeneration means gradual damage to the nervous system. The pattern of damage determines the symptoms. A disease that affects motor neurons may cause weakness and breathing problems, while a disease that affects memory networks may cause dementia.

== Common Neurodegenerative Disorders ==
	Many neurodegenerative disorders involve abnormal proteins, inflammation, genetic susceptibility, ageing and environmental influences. The exact mix differs between diseases.

=== Alzheimer's Disease ===
[[Alzheimer's disease]] is the most common form of dementia, accounting for approximately 60-80% of all dementia cases. It is characterized by the progressive deterioration of memory, thinking, and behaviour. The primary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is age, although there are genetic and environmental factors that can contribute to its development.
	== Examples ==
	Common or well-known neurodegenerative disorders include:

=== Parkinson's Disease ===
[[Parkinson's disease]] is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement control. It is characterized by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Common symptoms include tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Parkinson's disease can also cause non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment, depression, and sleep disturbances.
	* [[Alzheimer's_disease\|Alzheimer's disease]]
	* [[Parkinson's_disease\|Parkinson's disease]]
	* [[Huntington's_disease\|Huntington's disease]]
	* [[Amyotrophic_Lateral_Sclerosis_(ALS)\|amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]]
	* [[Frontotemporal_dementia\|frontotemporal dementia]]
	* Lewy body dementia
	* prion diseases
	* spinal muscular atrophy

=== Huntington's Disease ===
[[Huntington's disease]] is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene. It leads to the progressive degeneration of neurons in specific regions of the brain. Symptoms typically appear in adulthood and include movement abnormalities, cognitive decline, and psychiatric disturbances. Huntington's disease has a significant impact on an individual's motor skills, cognition, and behaviour.
	Multiple sclerosis is sometimes listed with neurodegenerative conditions because it can cause progressive nerve damage, although it is primarily an immune-mediated demyelinating disease.

=== Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) ===
[[Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)\|Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]], also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. ALS leads to the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure. The cause of most ALS cases is unknown, although some are linked to genetic mutations.
	== Symptoms ==
	Symptoms depend on the parts of the nervous system affected. They may include memory loss, language problems, changes in mood or behaviour, tremor, stiffness, weakness, poor coordination, swallowing problems, falls, pain, sensory change and loss of independence.

=== Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ===
[[Multiple sclerosis]] is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the immune system attacking the protective covering of nerve fibres (myelin) in the central nervous system. This results in the formation of scar tissue (sclerosis) and disrupts the normal flow of electrical impulses. Symptoms of MS can vary widely and may include fatigue, muscle weakness, coordination difficulties, sensory disturbances, and cognitive impairment.
	The same symptom can have many causes. For example, memory problems may be caused by dementia, depression, medication effects, sleep disorders, infection or other medical problems.

== Causes and Pathology ==
The causes of neurodegenerative disorders are multifactorial and often involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Some disorders have clear genetic links, while others are believed to result from a complex interplay of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers.
	== Causes and Risk Factors ==
	Some disorders are strongly genetic, while others are usually sporadic. Age is a major risk factor for many diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Environmental exposures, vascular health, lifestyle, infection, immune processes and chance may also contribute.

Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, which form aggregates or plaques. These protein abnormalities contribute to neuronal dysfunction and eventual cell death. The specific proteins involved vary among different disorders. For example, Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, while Parkinson's disease involves the aggregation of alpha-synuclein protein.
	Research increasingly studies common pathways across diseases, including protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, impaired waste clearance, inflammation and cell death.

== Diagnosis and Treatment ==
Diagnosing neurodegenerative disorders can be challenging due to the overlapping symptoms and the absence of definitive diagnostic tests. Physicians typically rely on clinical assessments, medical history, neuroimaging techniques, and sometimes genetic testing to make an accurate diagnosis.
	== Diagnosis ==
	Diagnosis may involve history, examination, cognitive assessment, blood tests, genetic testing, nerve conduction studies, brain imaging, cerebrospinal fluid tests and specialist neurological review.

Treatment options for neurodegenerative disorders are limited, and there is currently no cure for most of these conditions. Management of symptoms and slowing disease progression are the primary goals of treatment. Medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and supportive care play crucial roles in improving the quality of life for individuals with neurodegenerative disorders. Research into potential disease-modifying therapies and neuroprotective strategies is ongoing.
	The process can take time because early symptoms overlap between disorders. Accurate diagnosis matters for treatment, prognosis, family counselling, research access and care planning.

== Notable Individuals Affected by Neurodegenerative Disorders ==
	== Treatment and Support ==
	Most neurodegenerative disorders do not currently have a cure. Some have medicines that improve symptoms or slow selected aspects of disease in particular groups.

* [[Ronald Reagan]]: 40th President of the United States who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
* [[Muhammad Ali]]: Legendary boxer who battled Parkinson's disease for more than three decades.
* [[Stephen Hawking]]: Renowned physicist who lived with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for many years.
	Support may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, nutrition support, respiratory care, mental health care, social care, assistive technology, advance care planning and support for carers.

	== Research ==
	Research focuses on earlier diagnosis, biomarkers, genetics, protein biology, immune pathways, environmental risks and disease-modifying treatments. Better understanding of shared mechanisms may help research across several disorders rather than treating every disease as completely separate.

	== See Also ==
	* [[Frontotemporal_dementia]]
	* [[Alzheimer's_disease]]
	* [[Parkinson's_disease]]
	* [[Amyotrophic_Lateral_Sclerosis_(ALS)]]

== References ==	== References ==
	* [https://medlineplus.gov/degenerativenervediseases.html MedlinePlus: Degenerative nerve diseases]
	* [https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/health/neurodegenerative NIEHS: Neurodegenerative diseases]
	* [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK208527/ NCBI Bookshelf: Neurodegeneration]
	* [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia WHO: Dementia]

# Alzheimer's Association. (n.d.). Alzheimer's Disease.
# National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2021). Parkinson's Disease: Hope Through Research.
# Huntington's Disease Society of America. (n.d.). About Huntington's Disease.
# Mayo Clinic. (2020). Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
# National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (n.d.). What is MS?.
	[[Category:Medicine]]
	[[Category:Neurology]]