Neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease result from the loss of specific types of neurons due to abnormal accumulation of mutant proteins. Although specific brain regions have been found to be particularly vulnerable in each of these disorders, the causes and exact mechanisms underlying this differential vulnerability of brain cells and regions to toxic mutant proteins are not well understood.
New proteins involved in spinocerebellar ataxia provide insight into selective neuronal vulnerability
Neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease result from the loss of specific types of neurons due to abnormal accumulation of mutant proteins. Although specific brain regions have been found to be particularly vulnerable in each of these disorders, the causes and exact mechanisms underlying this differential vulnerability of brain cells and regions to toxic mutant proteins are not well understood.