This is a term used to describe a number of conditions that affect the neurons of the brain. Neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system and when they become damaged, they cannot be replaced by the body. Neurodegenerative diseases cannot be cured and is a progressive condition resulting in the degeneration or the death of the nerve cells. As a result, it can affect the movement or the mental function of the individual. It can develop because of a number of causes such as a medical condition like alcoholism, a tumor, stroke, exposure to toxins or chemicals and infections. Some of the examples of neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, spinal muscular atrophy, Lewy body disease and Friedreich’s ataxia.
Friedreich’s ataxia
This is an inherited condition that develops because of damage to the nervous system that affects the spinal cord and the nerves responsible for the control of muscle movements of the limbs. The common symptom is the difficulty coordinating movements and the onset can occur anywhere between the ages of 5 and 15. Additional symptoms of this condition include difficulty walking, speech problems, involuntary eye movements, heart palpitations, scoliosis, and muscle weakness. These affected individuals usually require a wheelchair 15 to 20 years from the onset of symptoms. There is no cure for the disorder and the treatments include medications to provide relief from the symptoms and a physical therapy.
Lewy Body Disease
This is one of the common causes of dementia that occurs because of the accumulation of abnormal structures in the brain known as Lewy bodies. Hence, the degeneration and the death of the nerve cells in the brain occur. This condition mostly develops among individuals over the ages of 50 and 85. The symptoms of Lewy bodies include the problem with concentration and attention, loss of memory, hallucinations, muscle stiffness, difficulties with judging distance, extreme confusion and difficulties with movement and posture. Additional symptoms can include acting out dreams and malfunctions of the autonomic nervous system. This disease tends to deteriorate rapidly with death occurring around seven years from the onset of symptoms. There is no cure for Lewy body disease or to stop the progression of the condition. The treatment consists of medications that provide relief from the symptoms.
Alzheimer’s disease
This is also a form of dementia that affects the individual’s intellectual ability, memory and presenting difficulties with thinking. Some of them can also experience hallucinations or delusions. It can cause dramatic changes to their life and personality with the late stage requiring high levels of assistance. The average life span of these affected individuals is estimated to be around eight to ten years from the initial onset of symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease develops because of protein accumulation in the brain creating structures known as ‘plaques’ that affects the normal connections of nerve cells. This causes the loss of brain tissue and the death of the nerve cells. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease but medications can help provide supportive care.
References
https://medlineplus.gov/friedreichsataxia.html
http://www.alz.org/dementia/dementia-with-lewy-bodies-symptoms.asp#about
https://www.fightdementia.org.au/about-dementia/types-of-dementia/lewy-body-disease
https://medlineplus.gov/degenerativenervediseases.html
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/health/neurodegenerative/index.cfm
