20.02.1 Introduction to Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neurodegeneration is the progressive and irreversible loss of neurones from specific regions of the brain. In Parkinson’s disease, the loss of neurones is predominantly the loss of dopaminergic neurones from the basal ganglia. As the basal ganglia have a major role in movement, the loss of the dopaminergic neurones gives abnormalities in movement.

In Alzheimer’s disease, the loss of neurones is from the hippocampal and cortical areas of the brain. As these areas of the brain have a major role in memory and cognitive function, the loss of neurones leads to impairment in memory and cognitive function.

In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, which is commonly known as motor neuron disease, there is a loss of spinal, bulbar and cortical motor neurones. As motor neurones have a major role in movement, loss of these neurones leads to impaired movement.