Neurodegenerative Diseases: Types, Symptoms And Treatments
Let’s think about the disease that scares us the most. Probably, some people will have imagined cancer or AIDS, but many others will have chosen Alzheimer’s, or another disorder in which there is a progressive loss of abilities (especially mental, but also physical). And the idea of ​​losing our abilities (not being able to remember, not being able to move, not knowing who we are or where we are) is part of the nightmares and deepest fears of many.
Unfortunately, for some people it is more than a fear: it is something they are experiencing or hope to experience soon. These are people who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases a concept that we are going to talk about throughout this article.
We understand by neurodegenerative diseases the set of diseases and disorders characterized by the presence of neurodegeneration, that is, progressive degradation until death of neurons which are part of our nervous system.
This neuronal death is generally progressive and irreversible, causing a series of effects or repercussions of varying severity that can range from having no symptomatic effect to causing the progressive loss of mental and/or physical faculties and even leading to death (for example). for example, due to cardiorespiratory arrest, one of the most frequent causes of death in this type of conditions).
Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the most frequent and relevant causes of disability, since progressive neurodegeneration will end up causing the limitation of functions and the progressive inability to cope with environmental demands. requiring external support and different degrees of help
Possible causes
The causes of this type of disorders or diseases can be multiple, with a large number of factors that can influence their appearance. The origin in question will depend largely on the neurodegenerative disease we are talking about. However, in most cases the specific causes of the appearance of these pathologies are unknown.
Among the many possible causes that are suspected for some of them that are known, some causes are found in viral diseases that are not yet curable that affect the nervous system, the presence of alterations in the autoimmune system that cause it to attack the cells of the body itself. body, trauma and/or stroke (in the case of vascular dementia). There is also an excess of some elements such as Lewy bodies, beta-amyloid plaques or neurofibrillary tangles in some dementias, although the reason for its appearance is not known.
Most common types of neurodegenerative diseases
There are a large number of diseases and disorders that can cause the degeneration and subsequent death of the neurons in our nervous system. Dementia and neuromuscular diseases tend to be the best known and most common. Below we can see some examples of some of the most common neurodegenerative diseases.
1. Alzheimer’s disease
One of the best-known neurodegenerative diseases is Alzheimer’s disease, perhaps the most prototypical and prevalent problem of this type. This disease, which begins in the temporoparietal lobes and subsequently spreads throughout the brain, has no clear known cause. It generates a dementia characterized by the progressive loss of mental faculties, memory being one of the most affected elements and the aphaso-apraxo-agnosic syndrome appears in which the abilities to speak, sequence and carry out complex movements and recognize stimuli such as faces are lost.
2. Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s is another of the best known and most common neurodegenerative diseases. In her There is progressive degeneration of the neurons in the substantia nigra and the nigrostriatal system, affecting the production and use of dopamine in said pathway. The most recognizable symptoms are motor symptoms, with slowing, gait disturbances, and perhaps the best-known symptom: parkinsonian tremors at rest.
It can end up generating dementia in which in addition to the previous symptoms, mutism, loss of facial expression, mental slowing, memory alterations and other alterations can be observed.
Chronic and currently incurable disease generated by progressive demyelination of the nervous system due to the reaction of the immune system against the myelin that covers neurons It occurs in the form of outbreaks between which there may be a certain level of recovery, as the body tries to repair the loss of myelin (although the new one will be less resistant and effective). Fatigue, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, visual problems and pain are some of the problems it causes, usually advancing in intensity over time. It is not considered fatal and does not have major effects on life expectancy.
4. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is one of the most common neuromuscular disorders, being one of the neurodegenerative diseases linked to the alteration and death of motor neurons. As neurodegeneration progresses, the muscles atrophy until voluntary movement becomes impossible. Over time it can affect the respiratory muscles being one of the causes that the life expectancy of those who suffer from it is greatly reduced (although there are exceptions, such as Stephen Hawking).
5. Huntington’s chorea
The disease known as Huntington’s chorea is one of the best-known neurodegenerative diseases of genetic cause Hereditary disease transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner, it is characterized by the presence of motor alterations, such as choreas or movements generated by the involuntary contraction of muscles, their movement being somewhat similar to a dance. In addition to motor symptoms, as the disease progresses, alterations appear in executive functions, memory, speech and even personality.
The presence of significant brain lesions is observed throughout its development, especially in the basal ganglia. It usually has a poor prognosis, greatly reducing the life expectancy of those who suffer from it and facilitating the presence of cardiac and respiratory disorders.
6. Friedreich’s ataxia
Hereditary disease that alters the nervous system through the involvement of the neurons in the spinal cord and the nerves that control the extremities. The most visible difficulty is coordinating movements, muscle weakness , difficulties speaking and walking and eye movement problems. The progression of this disease usually causes those affected to need assistance and the use of wheelchairs. It frequently occurs accompanied by heart problems.
Most neurodegenerative diseases are currently incurable (although there are exceptions, since in some caused by infections the infectious agent could be eliminated). However, there are treatments that aim to slow the progression of these diseases and prolong the patient’s autonomy and functionality. Depending on the specific case, Different medical-surgical procedures can be used that can alleviate the symptoms of the disorder or different medications that prolong the subject’s functionality.
First of all, it must be taken into account that the diagnosis itself will be a hard blow for the patient, generating a probable period of mourning and adaptive problems derived from it. Anxiety and depression, and even acute or post-traumatic stress disorder, depending on the case, are likely to appear. In these cases the use of psychotherapy may be necessary , adapting the strategy to each specific case. And not only in the case of the patient, but caregivers can also experience these types of problems and require professional care.
Psychoeducation for both the patient and the environment regarding the disease and its consequences is essential, contributing to reducing the level of uncertainty they may have and providing adaptation mechanisms and strategies.
The use of neuropsychological rehabilitation is common , occupational therapy, physiotherapy and logotherapy as part of a multidisciplinary strategy to optimize and prolong the quality of life, condition, capabilities and autonomy of the patient. It also usually ends up requiring the use of external aids that can be used to compensate or replace lost skills such as pictograms, agendas (something as simple as this can be of great help for people with memory and planning problems, for example), visual aids. or movement mechanisms such as adapted wheelchairs.
