Der Neurologe: Clinical & Therapeutics Journal

Neurodegeneration

Neurodegeneration refers to the progressive atrophy and loss of function of neurons, which is present in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Neurodegenerative disease is an umbrella term for a range of conditions which primarily affect the neurons in the human brain. Dementias are responsible for the greatest burden of neurodegenerative diseases. Parkinson's disease (PD) is recognized as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's dis- ease and affects 1% of the population worldwide.