The cellular basis of dendrite pathology in neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

One of the characteristics of the neurons that distinguishesthem from other cells is their complex and polarized structureconsisting of dendrites, cell body, and axon. The complexityand diversity of dendrites are particularly well recognized, andaccumulating evidences suggest that the alterations in thedendrite structure are associated with many neurodegenerativediseases. Given the importance of the proper dendriticstructures for neuronal functions, the dendrite pathologyappears to have crucial contribution to the pathogenesis ofneurodegenerative diseases. Nonetheless, the cellular andmolecular basis of dendritic changes in the neurodegenerativediseases remains largely elusive. Previous studies in normalcondition have revealed that several cellular components,such as local cytoskeletal structures and organelles locatedlocally in dendrites, play crucial roles in dendrite growth. Byreviewing what has been unveiled to date regarding dendritegrowth in terms of these local cellular components, we aim toprovide an insight to categorize the potential cellular basis thatcan be applied to the dendrite pathology manifested in manyneurodegenerative diseases.