Neurodegenerative diseases: types, symptoms and treatments.

A review of the most important neurodegenerative diseases and their symptoms.

Let's think about the disease that scares us the most. Some people will probably have imagined cancer or AIDS, but many others will have chosen Alzheimer's disease, 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 deepest nightmares and fears of many.

Unfortunately, for some people it is more than a fear: it is something they are experiencing or expect to experience in the near future. These are people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, a concept we are going to talk about.a concept we are going to talk about throughout this article.

What are neurodegenerative diseases?

We understand by neurodegenerative diseases to the set of diseases and disorders characterized by the presence of neurodegeneration, ie, progressive degradation until death of the neurons that are part of our nervous system. that are part of our nervous system.

This neuronal death is usually progressive and irreversible, causing a series of effects or repercussions of varying severity that can range from having no symptomatic effect to causing progressive loss of mental and/or physical faculties and even leading to death (for example, due to cardiorespiratory arrest, one of the most frequent causes of death in this type of condition).

Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the most frequent and relevant causes of disability, since progressive neurodegeneration will eventually lead to the limitation of functions and progressive inability to cope with environmental demands, requiring external support and different degrees of assistance..

Possible causes

The causes of this type of disorders or diseases can be multiple, there being a great number of factors that can influence their appearance. The origin in question will depend to a large extent on the neurodegenerative disease we are talking about. However, in most cases the specific causes of the onset 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 not yet curable viral diseases affecting the nervous system, the presence of alterations in the autoimmune system that cause it to attack the body's own cells, 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 can also be observed in some dementias, although not in all cases. in some dementias, although the reason for their 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 neurons in our nervous system. Dementias and neuromuscular diseases are usually the best known and most frequent. Below are 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, being 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 progressive loss of mental faculties, with memory being one of the most affected elements, and the aphasia-aphasia syndrome and the aphasia-apraxo-agnostic syndrome appears, in which the ability to speak, sequence and perform complex movements and the recognition of stimuli such as faces are lost.

2. Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is another of the best known and most frequent neurodegenerative diseases. In Parkinson's disease, a progressive degeneration of the neurons of the substantia nigra progressive degeneration of the neurons of the substantia nigra and the nigrostriatal system, affecting the production and utilization of dopamine in this and the nigrostriatal system, affecting the production and utilization of dopamine in this pathway. The most recognizable symptoms are those of motor type, with slowing, gait disturbances and perhaps the best known symptom: Parkinsonian tremors at rest.

It may eventually lead to dementiaIn addition to the above symptoms, mutism, loss of facial expression, mental slowing, memory disturbances and other alterations can be observed.

3. Multiple Sclerosis

A chronic and currently incurable disease caused by the progressive demyelination of the nervous system due to the reaction of the immune system against the myelin that covers the neurons.. It occurs in the form of flares between which there may be some level of recovery, as the body attempts to repair the loss of myelin (although the new myelin will be less resistant and effective). Fatigue, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, visual problems and pain are some of the problems it causes. are some of the problems it causes, usually progressing in intensity over time. It is not considered fatal and has no great effect on life expectancy.

4. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is one of the most frequent neuromuscular disorders, being one of the neurodegenerative diseases linked to the alteration and death of motor neurons. As the neurodegeneration progresses, the muscles atrophy until voluntary movement becomes impossible. Over time, it can affect the respiratory musculature, being one of the causes that the life expectancy of sufferers is greatly reduced (although there are exceptions such as Stephen Hawking).This is 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 neurodegenerative one of the best-known neurodegenerative diseases with a genetic cause.. A hereditary disease transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner, it is characterized by the presence of motor alterations, such as chorea or movements generated by the involuntary contraction of muscles, their displacement being 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 the development of the disease 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 affectation of the neurons of the medulla and the nerves that control the extremities. The most visible difficulty is that of coordinating movements, muscle weakness, speech and walking difficulties, and problems in the coordination of movements.The most visible difficulty is that of coordinating movements, muscle weakness, speech and walking difficulties and eye movement problems. The progression of this disease usually causes those affected to require assistance and the use of wheelchairs. It is often accompanied by cardiac problems.

Treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Most neurodegenerative diseases are currently incurable (although there are exceptions, since in some diseases caused by infections the infectious agent can be eliminated). However, there are treatments aimed at slowing the progression of these diseases and prolonging the patient's autonomy and functionality. Depending on the specific case, different medical-surgical procedures can be used that can alleviate the that can alleviate the symptomatology of the disorder or different medications that prolong the functionality of the subject.

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 this. Anxiety and depression are likely to appear, and even acute or post-traumatic stress disorder, depending on the case. In these cases the use of psychotherapy may be necessary.The strategy must be tailored to each specific case. And not only in the case of the patient, but the caregivers may also experience this type of problem and require professional care.

Psychoeducation for both the patient and his or her environment about the disease and its consequences is fundamental regarding the disease and its consequences is essential, helping to reduce the level of uncertainty they may have and providing coping mechanisms and strategies.

It is common to use neuropsychological rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, physical therapy and other therapies.occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy as part of a multidisciplinary strategy to optimize and prolong the patient's quality of life, condition, abilities and autonomy. It also often ends up requiring the use of external aids that can be used to compensate or replace lost skills such as pictograms, diaries (something as simple as this can be of great help for people with memory and planning problems, for example), visual aids or mobility devices such as adapted wheelchairs.