Neurodegenerative Disease

Neurodegenerative diseases refer to a group of age-associated conditions with progressive loss of neuronal structure and function, often accompanied by aberrant protein accumulation, resulting in cognitive disability, motor deficits, and dementia. Ranging from neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease to psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety-related disorders, diseases that affect nervous system function are some of the most prevalent and least understood diseases. The four most common neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), each have different clinical presentations and affect different neuronal populations and brain areas. However, commonalities identified between the diseases suggest that abnormal protein aggregation, failure of autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress, as well an inflammatory environment and reactive microglia, contribute to the development of all these diseases. Further advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying nervous systems dysfunction in these debilitating diseases is critical for the development of effective treatments. R&D Systems offers a range of research tools to study the biological processes that accompany neurological/neurodegenerative disease.

Common Processes in Neurodegenerative Diseases

• Apoptosis
• Cellular Senescence and Pathways in Aging
• Neuroinflammation
• Oxidative Stress
• Autophagy

Most Common Neurodegenerative Diseases and Their Pathologies

Major Protein Targets Involved in AD

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, mainly in the substantia nigra. It is defined by the presence of alpha-synuclein aggregates (Lewy bodies) and accumulation of defective mitochondria, leading to neuronal death. PD patients display a variety of motor symptoms such as resting tremors, rigidity and postural instability, along with non-motor symptoms including depression, sleep disorder and olfactory dysfunction. Sporadic forms of the disease constitute more than 90% of cases and the onset occurs over the age of 60. Currently, there is no cure for PD, but its motor symptoms can be alleviated temporarily with dopamine inducing approaches. New therapies concentrate on neuroprotective and disease-modifying strategies.

Major Protein Targets Involved in PD

Parkinson's Disease Related Targets - Products by Molecule

Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease (HD) is marked by a progressive degeneration of neurons of the striatum and cortex. The disease is familial and follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. It is characterized by a polyglutamine repeat expansion in the huntingtin protein that results in formation of neuronal inclusions and subsequent neuronal loss. This leads to movement, psychiatric and cognitive impairments. Patients are usually diagnosed at 40 years of age and have life expectancy of around 15 years. Currently, no cure exists for the disease.

Major Protein Targets Involved in HD

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS; commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease) is a disease of degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and the spinal cord. It is the third most common neurodegenerative disease and the most common motor neuron disease. Symptoms include loss of control of muscle movement as well as muscle weakness, atrophy, twitching and cramps. The onset of the disease occurs at approximately 60 years old and patients survive on average three years from diagnosis. Most cases of ALS are sporadic and involve a number of genes, with further genes still likely to be discovered. However, 60% of familial ALS can be attributed to mutations in four genes: SOD1, TDP-43/TARDBP, FUS and C9orf72. Aberrant autophagy and RNA metabolism are two processes heavily implicated in disease progression. Protein aggregates are also a common feature of ALS.

Major Protein Targets Involved in ALS

ALS-Related Targets – Products by Molecule

Multiple Sclerosis

Myelin is the insulating sheath that surrounds axons and facilitates rapid transmission of electrical signals between neurons. Myelin is composed of lipid, myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), and proteolipid protein (PLP). Degeneration of the myelin sheath occurs during some auto-immune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.

Multiple Sclerosis-Related Targets – Products by Molecule

Additional Resources

Learn About Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
• Stroke and Excitotoxicity

Resources for Neurodegenerative Disease Research

• Exosomes in Neurodegenerative Disease
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Apoptosis
• Cytokines - Pieces of the Autism Puzzle
• Chemokine Receptors and Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis
• Gene Expression in the Aging Brain
• Mini-review: Multiple Sclerosis: Immune Cell Access to the Central Nervous System
• Oncomodulin: The inflammatory response and nerve regeneration
• Th17 Differentiation: An Evolving Target for Multiple Sclerosis Therapy
• Vitamin D Deficiency as a Risk Factor for Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuroprotective & Pathogenic Effects of VEGF Signaling
• ApoE Suppresses Cyclophilin A to Maintain Cerebrovascular Integrity: A Pharmacological Target for Alzheimer’s Disease
• Astrocytes Secrete Neuroprotective Factors & Protect Against Glutamate-induced Neural Cell Apoptosis
• Neural Activation Triggers CCL20 Expression & Promotes T Cell Entry into the Spinal Cord in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis
• Alpha-Synuclein-Based Model for Studying Parkinson's Disease Pathology
• TIQ and Parkinson's Disease
• VEGF & Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Apoptosis Research
• Adult Neurogenesis Research
• Autoimmunity Poster