Neurodegenerative diseases factors affecting

Table 7.11. Some neurodegenerative diseases for which no current effective therapy exists, and neurotrophic factors known to stimulate growth of neuronal populations affected by these conditions...

Parkinson disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder that affects in the US approximately 1 x 10 persons [4]. Pathological features include degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra coupled with intracytoplasmic aggregates known as Lewy bodies. Neurodegeneration and Lewy bodies can also be found in the locus ceruleus, nucleus basalis, hypothalamus, cortex, motor nuclei. Risk factors are toxins e.g. MPP, which causes a defect of the mitochondrial complex I [4]. 

Thus, some endogenous small molecular compounds that are able to mimic the biological effect of the natural neurotrophic factors, or to stimulate their synthesis and secretion, might be promising candidates for pharmaceutical agents of various neurodegenerative diseases. Sex hormones, thyroid hormones, vitamin D and their derivatives are already known to affect survival and differentiation of dissociated mouse embryo brain in cultures or in cultured rat septal neurons. However, application of these hormones to patients with normal hormone function... 

A broad variety of diseases may cause neuropathic pain. The majority of diseases associated with neuropathic pain involve the peripheral nervous system. These diseases include traumatic injuries hereditary, metabolic, inflammatory or paraneoplastic neuropathies and infections. However, neuropathic pain can also be caused by injuries or disorders affecting the spinal cord or the brain (central neuropathic pain) tumors stroke epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders [20]. Genetic factors appear to contribute to inter-individual differences in the susceptibility to neuropathic pain. 

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