Neurodegenerative Disorders
What are Neurogenerative Disorders?
A neurodegenerative disorder is a disease that attacks the central or peripheral nervous system, causing it to progressively deteriorate. These disorders typically worsen over time, and currently they have no known cures. The most commonly known neurodegenerative disorders are Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s Disease.
How Common are Neurodegenerative Disorders?
Over 7 million Americans are currently living with some form of Neurodegenerative
Disorder. By the year 2030, 1 out of every 5 Americans over the age of 65 will be living with neurodegenerative disease (1). Almost 900,000 Americans live with Parkinson’s disease, with roughly 60,000 new diagnoses each year (2). The risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease increases with age. As our lifespans increase, so does our risk of developing some form of degenerative condition.
What Causes Neurodegenerative Disorders?
The exact causes of neurodegenerative disorders are open questions. Neuroscience research has identified much about how these diseases develop and progress, but causes and effective treatments remain elusive (3). In all of these conditions, while the progression of the diseases is well understood, the exact causes and triggers are not as well grasped by science and are still under review. Whatever the causes, once they present these diseases are generally progressive, with symptoms and findings worsening over time. As more neurons are lost, patients progressively lose function. These diseases can be debilitating, and in some cases, can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
What Happens in the Brain with Neurodegenerative Disorders?
Many neurodegenerative conditions are considered to be protein aggregation disorders. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, a particular set of ApoE genes predispose individuals to degeneration based on the inability to break down a protein called tau, which creates tiny fibrous tangles between neurons that impairs their communication. There is also a protein called beta-amyloid that builds up into clumps between cells. This further impairs neuronal communication. Ultimately the excess protein chokes out neurons, which begin to progressively die off (4).
Parkinson’s disease is somewhat similar, in that a genetic issue leads to clumps of a protein called alpha synuclein. This builds up in neurons that produce dopamine, and gradually destroys dopamine pathways. These pathways are critical for motor function, leading to difficulty with motor control, tremors, and balance difficulties (5).
In multiple sclerosis, the immune system develops an inappropriate response to a protein called myelin. This protein insulates axons, the long thin projection fibers between neurons that allow them to communicate. In MS the immune system is inappropriately activated, and an autoimmune response develops that causes it to destroy myelin. This impairs neurological communication, and can lead to progressive loss of neurological tissue (6).
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis appears to be a disorder involving glutamate excitotoxicty. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that stimulates neurons and causes them to fire impulses to other neurons. Too much glutamate release can fire neurons faster than they can handle, which can damage or kill cells. At least one aspect of the disorder involves neurons in the brain’s motor control pathways becoming excessively active. They fire motor neurons in the spinal cord at rates that the motor neurons are unable to sustain. This damages them and causes the motor system to degenerate (7).
How are Neurodegenerative Disorders Usually Treated?
Neurodegenerative disorders are usually treated with medication once diagnosed (8-11).
These medications can help aid in the management of symptoms, and in some cases slow the progression of the disorder. Medications that can cure these diseases have yet to be developed.
TMS Treatment
We are focused on preserving and maximizing as much neurological function as possible. We strive to take whatever neurological tissue and pathways you have that are still viable, and improve their functionality, endurance, and connectivity. TMS is an effective way to stimulate frontal lobe pathways and improve stability of systems in your brain and your ability to function in the world.
Your Next Best Step:
Living with a neurogenerative disorder is extraordinarily challenging, but there is hope for relief and improvement. To see if TMS is right for you, contact our front desk and schedule a free consultation with Shauna Hahn, PMHNP.
And remember, it’s never too late to start feeling better.
References:
1. https://neurodiscovery.harvard.edu/challenge
2. https://www.parkinson.org/sites/default/files/PD%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5880171/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073093/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685546/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6784028/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4653353/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6778042/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6733687/