A perspective on neuronal cell death signaling and neurodegeneration.
Although neuronal cell death through apoptotic pathways represents a common feature of dysferopathies, the canonical apoptotic changes familiar from nonneuronal cells are late events. Loss of neuronal function occurs at a much early time, when synaptic-based neuronal connectivity fails. In this context, apoptotic pathways may normally serve a cleanup role, rather than a pathogenic one. Reframing the consideration of cell death in the nervous system to include the early stages of axonal degeneration provides a better understanding of the roles played by various apoptotic signaling pathways in neurodegenerative diseases. Focusing on disease-specific mechanisms that initiate the sequence that eventually leads to neuronal loss should facilitate development of therapies that preserve neuronal function and neuronal numbers.
Brady
Scott
S
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St., Rm 578 (M/C 512), Chicago, IL 60612, USA. stbrady@uic.edu
Morfini
Gerardo
G
D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport; D016923:Cell Death; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors