Neurodegenerative diseases: research, risk factors and prevention
In France, as internationally, neurodegenerative diseases pose a challenge to the healthcare system and research policy. Today, in our country, Nearly 1,200,000 people are affected by Alzheimer's disease or a related condition.Each year, 225,000 people are newly affected. The Hauts-de-France region is particularly affected, with 18% of those over 75 suffering from this disease.
What is a neurodegenerative disease?
Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic and progressive conditions that lead to the deterioration of nerve cells, also called neurons. This decline, often irreversible, progressively disrupts essential functions such as memory, movement, language, and coordination.
Among the most well-known diseases are Alzheimer's disease, The Parkinson's disease or the Huntington's disease.
Although the exact causes vary depending on the specific condition, numerous genetic, environmental, and biological factors are involved. To date, there is no cure, but therapeutic approaches can slow the progression of symptoms and improve patients' quality of life. Research continues to explore new avenues to better understand these diseases and develop innovative solutions.
What is the list of neurodegenerative diseases?
Here is a list of the main neurodegenerative diseases:
- Alzheimer's disease: The most common neurodegenerative disease, it leads to a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions.
- Vascular dementias. Vascular dementias lead to a decline in cognitive functions due to a blockage or reduction of blood supply to different areas of the brain.
- Frontotemporal dementias. These dementias affect specific regions of the brain, leading to memory problems, often episodic, changes in behavior, or difficulties speaking or moving.
- Parkinson's disease: It affects the motor system, causing tremors, muscle rigidity, and balance problems.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Also known as Charcot's disease, it causes progressive paralysis of voluntary muscles.
- Huntington's disease: A hereditary condition causing involuntary movements (chorea) and cognitive impairment.
- Lewy body dementia: Characterized by abnormal protein deposits in the brain, it leads to cognitive and motor disorders.
- Spinocerebellar ataxias: A group of hereditary diseases affecting the coordination of movements.
- Corticobasal degeneration: A rare progressive disease affecting movement and cognition.
- Multiple system atrophy: A progressive disease affecting the autonomic nervous system and movement.
- Progressive supranuclear palsy: A rare brain disorder causing problems with walking, balance, and eye movement.
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A rare and fatal condition affecting the brain, caused by prions.
This list is not exhaustive, as there are more than a hundred identified neurodegenerative diseases.
What are the symptoms of a neurodegenerative disease?
By the time symptoms appear, the disease has already been insidiously developing for many years, as the human brain can temporarily compensate for the resulting neuronal loss. The symptoms will disrupt patients' daily lives but are not specific to Alzheimer's disease.
neurodegenerative diseases cause a progressive deterioration of the nervous system, leading to various symptoms depending on the disease developed:
- Cognitive disorders: memory loss, difficulty concentrating, disorientation, language disorders.
- Motor disorders: tremors, muscle rigidity, loss of coordination, muscle weakness.
- Sensory and perceptual alterations: vision and hearing disturbances, hallucinations.
- Behavioral and emotional changes: irritability, depression, apathy, impulsivity.
- Sleep disorders: insomnia, excessive sleepiness, abnormal movements at night.
- Loss of autonomy: difficulty performing daily tasks.
These symptoms vary depending on the disease and require early intervention.
Risk factors
Apart from the very rare monogenetic hereditary forms, the most important factor is...advanced ageWomen are 1,5 to 2 times more affected than men. The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is 0,5% before age 65 and reaches 15% by age 80.
Discussions are ongoing regarding the role of cardiovascular factors, such as hypertension, in Alzheimer's disease, and environmental factors, such as exposure to pollution or pesticides, in Parkinson's disease. Most of these conditions also have a significant genetic component, as seen in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. In such cases, there may be numerous genetic risk factors which, combined with environmental factors, can lead to a complex genetic predisposition.
How can we prevent it?
It is possible to prevent neurodegenerative diseases by adopting an appropriate lifestyle:
- Preventing cardiovascular risks for example by controlling any high blood pressure and the risk of atherosclerosis (cholesterol…).
- Adopt a balanced dietFor example, a Mediterranean-style diet can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants may have a beneficial effect. People who eat fish two to three times a week may be less affected by cognitive decline.
- Consume in moderation tea and coffeeThey are rich in antioxidants and xanthine derivatives. They may slow down memory decline.
- Do brain trainingBesides reading, sudoku or crosswords, we can mention gardening, DIY and travel which require planning ahead and adapting to the weather.
