A category of progressive conditions characterized by the deterioration of central and peripheral nervous system function, with incidence increasing significantly as a function of chronological aging. These disorders involve the gradual loss of neuronal structure and function, leading to cognitive decline, motor impairment, and disruption of neuroendocrine signaling. Hormonal fluctuations associated with aging, such as declining sex steroids and neurosteroids, are increasingly recognized as significant contributing factors to their pathophysiology.
Origin
This clinical classification emerged from the intersection of gerontology, neurology, and endocrinology, reflecting the understanding that advanced age is the single greatest risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. The term emphasizes the temporal relationship between the aging process and the onset of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and various dementias. Research in this area seeks to delineate the intricate interplay between cellular senescence, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation in the brain.
Mechanism
The underlying mechanism often involves complex processes, including mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic neuroinflammation, and the accumulation of misfolded proteins like amyloid-beta and tau. Reduced levels of neuroprotective hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and allopregnanolone, can exacerbate neuronal vulnerability and impair synaptic plasticity. Addressing these hormonal deficits represents a potential therapeutic avenue to mitigate the neurobiological cascade leading to clinical manifestation.
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