Neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive nervous system dysfunction. These disorders result from the gradual and progressive loss of neural cells, leading to nervous system dysfunction. Neurodegenerative diseases can affect abstract thinking, skilled movements, emotional feelings, cognition, memory and other abilities. Known risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases include certain genetic polymorphisms and increasing age. Other possible causes may include gender, poor education, endocrine conditions, oxidative stress, inflammation, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, head trauma, depression, infection, tumors, vitamin deficiencies, immune and metabolic conditions, and chemical exposure. Because the pathogenesis of many of these diseases remains unknown, the role of environmental factors in these diseases has to be considered. Although there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that a large proportion of the non-familial cases are significantly influenced by genetic factors, it is likely that the environmental risk factors play a part in the etiology of some of these conditions.