Centre for Functional Genomics and Human Disease

Neurodegeneration

Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of disorders characterized by changes in the normal neuronal function, leading, in most cases, to neuronal death (most of these diseases are associated, especially in late stages, with severe neuronal loss). In most instances, the etiological causes are unknown and they have a progressive development. The end point of neurodegenerative diseases, without exception, extracts an enormous emotional, physical and financial strain on the affected individual and wider community.

The most consistent risk factor for developing a neurodegenerative disorder, especially Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, is increasing age. Over the past century, the growth rate of the population aged 65 and beyond in industrialized countries has far exceeded that of the population as a whole. Thus, it can be anticipated that, over the next generations, the proportion of elderly citizens will double, and, with this, possibly the proportion of persons suffering from some kind of neurodegenerative disorder. This prediction is at the center of growing concerns in the medical community and among lawmakers, for one can easily foresee the increasing magnitude of emotional, physical, and financial burdens on patients, caregivers, and society that are related to these disabling illnesses. Compounding the problem is the fact that while, to date, several approved drugs do, to some extent, alleviate symptoms of several neurodegenerative diseases, their chronic use is often associated with debilitating side effects, and none seems to stop the progression of the degenerative process. In keeping with this, the development of effective preventive or protective therapies has been impeded by the limitations of our knowledge of the causes and the mechanisms by which neurons die in neurodegenerative diseases. Despite this bleak outlook, several neurobiological breakthroughs have brought closer than ever the day when the secrets of several neurodegenerative disorders will be unlocked and effective therapeutic strategies will become available.

To this end the Centre for Functional Genomics and Human Disease is working towards selected genetic and molecular advances relevant to the biology of neurodegeneration. This work focuses on the cell death process called apoptosis and the role that oxidative stress plays in neuronal death. The outcome of this research has direct applications for the understanding of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease.