Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of disorders characterized by the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, the cells that make up the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. This degeneration of neurons leads to a gradual decline in cognitive, motor, and sometimes autonomic functions, depending on the specific disease. Neurodegenerative diseases can affect various parts of the nervous system and lead to severe disability or death.

The most common neurodegenerative diseases include 

1.Alzheimer’s Disease

The most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects memory, thinking, and behavior.It is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, leading to the death of neurons.Symptoms include memory loss, confusion, difficulty in speaking and understanding, and changes in personality.

2.Parkinson’s Diseases

Affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, and balance problems.It is associated with the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra,   a part of the brain that controls movement. In advanced stages, it can also lead to cognitive decline and mood disorders.

3.Motor Neurone Disease

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the motor neurons, the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. As these neurons degenerate and die, the ability to control muscle movement is lost, leading to weakness, muscle wasting, and eventually paralysis.

4.Gut brain axis

The gut-brain axis is a complex interaction of nerves and chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) between the brain and the intestines. Seventy percent of the neurotransmitters are produced by the bacteria in the intestines which proves that the gut microbiome (the trillions of bacteria living in the gut) has a major influence on brain function.

When the gut microbiome is disrupted and the intestinal barrier is injured leading to “Leaky Gut”, toxic by-products like Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can leech into the blood stream causing widespread inflammation. The LPS can also travel through the vagal nerve (the nerve connecting the brain and the gut) and cause formation of protein plaques leading to neuron death.