Common Themes in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegeneration

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases share a number of common features with respect to clinical course, pathology, and molecular mechanisms. This chapter outlines the common themes of neurodegeneration, including the concept of selective neuronal vulnerability, genetic susceptibility, aberrant protein structures, disruption in mitochondrial function, altered axonal transport, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. A greater understanding of the stared pathophysiologic processes for neurodegenerative diseases will help to develop therapeutic agents that may be beneficial to a range of different clinical phenotypes.