Cytoskeletal mechanisms of neuronal degeneration

The cytoskeleton is the major intracellular determinant of neuronal morphol ogy and is required for fundamental processes during the development and ma intenance of a neuron. Thus, it is not surprising that many neurodegenerati ve diseases including Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neuron disease) are characterized by typical abnormalities in the o rganization of the cytoskeleton. However, the role of the cytoskeletal chan ges during the development of the disease, e.g., whether they have a causat ive role during neuronal degeneration or represent an epiphenomenon of neur ons that degenerate by other means, is still disputed. In this review, rece nt results on the development and the role of cytoskeletal abnormalities du ring neurodegenerative diseases are discussed and a mechanistic framework f or the involvement of cytoskeletal changes during neurodegenerative process es is presented.