Introduction

Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term

for the progressive loss of structure or
function of neurons, including death of
neurons. Many neurodegenerative
diseases including Parkinsons and
Alzheimers occur as a result of
neurodegenerative processes.

Para-sagittal MRI of the head in a

patient with benign familial
macrocephaly.
 Alzheimers Disease

Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer

Type (SDAT) or simply Alzheimer's,
is the most common form of
dementia. This incurable,
degenerative, and terminal disease
was first described by German
psychiatrist and neuropathologys
Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was
named after him.
 Stages:
Pre-dementia:The most noticeable deficit is
memory loss and inability to acquire new
information.

Early:Difficulties with language, executive

functions, perception, or execution of
movements

Moderate:Memory problems increase, the

person sometimes cant recognize close
relatives. Long-term memory, which was
previously becomes impaired.

Advanced:the person is completely

dependent upon caregivers. Muscle and
mobility deteriorate until they are bedridden,
and lose the ability to feed themselves.
 Treatement
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but
treatments for symptoms can
temporarily slow the worsening of
dementia symptoms and improve
quality of life for those with
Alzheimer's and the people who take
care of them.
 Multiple Sclerosis

A chronic,
progressive
neurologic
disease
characterized by
scattered
demyelination of
nerve fibers in the
brain and spinal
cord.
Stephen Hawking
 MS- Incidence

Peak onset 20-40 years of age

70% between ages 21-40

Rarely prior to age 10 or after age 60

F > M (approx. 2:1)

White > non-white (2:1)

.
Results Of Demyelination

Conduction block at site of lesion

Slower conduction time along affected nerve
Increased subjective feeling of fatigue secondary
to compensation for neurologic deficits
Cerebellar signs
-Incoordination (problems with heel-to-shin test)
-Slowing of rapid repeating movements
-Scanning speech
-Loss of balance
 PARKINSON
Researchers dont know when
Parkinsons disease started
but medical scientists have
been treating Parkinsons
disease for thousands of
years. Was known before as
the shaking palsy

The first medical text appeared

about 2,500 years ago in
China.
There are many foundations
that have joined to help people
with Parkinsons disease.
Some of the symptoms are:
Tremors

Rigidity

Bradykinesia (slowness in
voluntary movement)

Postural instability

Parkinsonian gait (people

with advanced Parkinsons
disease develop a shuffling
walk)

Anxiety
Causes:

The lack of dopamine

causes the motor symptoms
of Parkinson's disease.
Genetic and pathological
studies reveal that
inflammation, and stress
can contribute to cell
damage.
Scientists suspect that the
loss of dopamine is due
genetic and environmental
factors.
Scientists and researchers
havent found the cure of
Parkinsons Disease.

People with PD still attend to

therapies so that their
dopamine levels can
increase!

The most effective therapy is

levodopa (Sinemet), because
its directly converted into
dopamine in the brain.
 REFERENCES

Everyday Health
Medicinenet
http://www.everydayhealth.com/parkinsons-
http://www.medicinenet.com/pa
disease/history-of-parkinsons-disease.aspx
rkinsons_disease/page5.htm#tr
eatment

National Parkinson Foundation

http://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-
Disease/Diagnosis
And
By Sofia Del
WIKIPEDIA
Barrio Rey
and Andrs
Savchynets