Question

Explain the effects to Neurons specifically in each of the following diseases…think generalized 1 sentence answers

1) Multiple Sclerosis

2) ALS-Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

3) Parkinson's Disease

4) Alzheimer's Disease

Answer 1

Answer)

Effects to neurons

1)Multiple sclerosis

It is a demyelinating disease of neurons in central nervous system.

Explanation -

Here, nerve cells(neurons) are replaced by neuroglial cells due to their proliferation. This leads to multiple inflammatory foci, disseminated irregularly throughout the length of the cerebrospinal axis.

Grey and white matter both get involved and show demyelination. Thus there is patchy destruction of myelin in the central nervous system.

It is a crippling disease associated with delayed or blocked conduction in the demyelinated axons.

It is characterized by dysarthria, muscle weakness, fatigue, cognitive impairment, depression, nystagmus, diplopia, dysphagia,urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence.

2)Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -

It is a progressive neuro degenerative disorders of brain and spinal cord in which motor neurons are degenerated and even die.

Explanation -

As motor neurons which supplies the voluntary muscles, so in ALS, there is loss of ability of voluntary movements.

3) Parkinson's disease -

It is a neuro degenerative disorder in which there is degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal tract.

Explanation - This condition is usually seen in late middle age people.

As there is degeneration of nigrostriatal pathway, concentration of dopamine is reduced in nigrostriatal system.

It is characterized by rigidity, tremors and weakness of movements.

4)Alzheimer's disease -

It is caused by degeneration of cholinergic nerve terminals in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

Explanation -

In this condition, there is severe loss of cholinergic neurons in the nuclei of septal region of forebrain.

It is characterized by progressive loss of memory and cognitive function.