Mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders part 2: Control of cell death

Recent research into mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer disease ( AD), Parkinson disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders has lead to a dramatic increase in our understanding of the mechanisms of cell death and neuroprotection. Apoptosis is an active form of cell death that is carried out by proteins that are designed to kill the cell. Necrosis tends to occu r as a by-product of excessive oxidative stress, which can be induced by ag ents such as P-amyloid, or excessive calcium influx induced by agents such as glutamate. The neuron also has strong homeostatic mechanisms that can de lay or prevent activation of apoptosis and necrosis. The balance between ne urotoxic and neuroprotective mechanisms determines whether a neuron lives o r dies.