Degenerative disorders

Boden SD (1996) The use of radiographic imaging studies in the evaluation of patients who have degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine. J Bone Joint Surg Am 78(1 ) 114-124... 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disorder of motor neurones. In 15-25% of cases, the genetic cause of the disease is a mutation of the enzyme Cu+/Zn2+... 

Intended for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or neuro-degenerative disorders... 

In terms of neuronal death signalings, oxidative stress has been implicated as playing a role in degenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer s disease, Huntington s... 

Currently stem cells are the focus of a broad and burgeoning area of science aimed at marshaling their generative powers into new treatments, especially for degenerative disorders such as stroke, Parkinson s disease, and spinal-cord injury. These disorders are so destructive that the affected tissue generally cannot be repaired by the body s normal healing mechanisms. 

There are a myriad of known and suspected mechanisms by which diseases can modify chemical neurotransmission. These can vary from no transmission, as in the case of a degenerated or absent neuron, to too much neurotransmission from a malfunction of the synapse. One of the key consequences of loss of neurons in neuro-degenerative disorders such as Parkinson s disease, Huntington s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig s disease), and Alzheimer s disease, is the fact that no neurotransmission occurs subsequent to neuronal loss (Fig. 4—24). This is a conceptually simple mechanism of disease action with profound consequences. It is also at least in part the mechanism of other disorders, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and virtually any disorder in which neurons are irreversibly damaged. 

Since amphetamines increase blood pressure, the chances for a stroke increases in users. Abusers of amphetamine may also be prone to degenerative disorders of the nervous system such as Parkinson s disease. Research published in the March 2001 issue of American Journal of Psychiatry indicates that MAP abuse leads to long-lasting changes in the human brain that are linked to impaired coordination and memory. 

Smoking is especially harmful to diabetics who are already at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney disease. The habit also negatively affects joints and interferes with the healing of wounds. Healing of fractures is delayed because smoking impairs the formation of new bone. Smokers are more likely to develop degenerative disorders and injuries of the spine. The risk for peptic ulcers is increased. Smoking also may upset thyroid function. 

Muscular disorders Diazepam is useful in the treatment of skeletal muscle spasms such as occur in muscle strain, and in treating spasticity from degenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. 

People with such degenerative disorders as Parkinson s disease, paralysis, and insulin-dependent diabetes could replace their degenerative cells with new healthy cells by means of an embryonic stem cell operation. While the procedure is still in experimental stages,... 

Calcification, and possibly sclerosis, of the aortic and mitral valves may be a cause of embolism of calcific or complicating thrombotic material. However, these degenerative disorders of heart valves are so common, particularly in the elderly, that it has been very difficult to associate them causally with stroke (Boon et al. 1996). 

Lubec, G. (2003). Aberrant expression of peroxiredoxin subtypes in neuro-degenerative disorders. Brain Res. 967, 152-160. 

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