Final answer:
Neurodegenerative diseases result in progressive dysfunction of the nervous system and encompass disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, which is marked by memory loss, cognitive decline, and changes in behavior. Alzheimer's involves the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. While causes vary, common therapeutic strategies are being researched.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neurodegenerative Diseases and Alzheimer's Disease
Neurodegenerative diseases are a class of disorders that lead to progressive nervous system dysfunction, often caused by neuronal death. These include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), among others. Symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases vary depending on the area of the nervous system affected and can include motor function impairments and dementia.
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by disruptive memory loss, difficulty with planning or executing tasks, changes in personality, and a decline in cognitive abilities affecting daily life. Alzheimer's disease, specifically, involves the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, which are associated with the death of neurons and loss of synaptic connections.
The exact causes of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's are not fully understood, but factors include genetics, autoimmunity, and currently unidentified aspects. The commonality in how neuronal degeneration occurs in these diseases suggests the potential for common therapies to treat them. Ongoing research continues to investigate these conditions in hopes of finding effective treatments for Alzheimer's and related disorders.