Neurodegenerative DiseasesAlzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease are well-known examples of neurodegenerative disorders. In each of these diseases, there is a loss of neurons of the central nervous system; often a specific neuronal population is selectively affected. Onset for several of these devastating disorders occurs later in life. As the baby-boomer population enters midlife, and is accompanied by increased life expectancy, the need to treat or cure these diseases becomes not just an issue of human compassion, but one of economic importance. We have to our advantage the increasing body of knowledge about human genetics. The isolation of gene mutations that are linked to familial neurodegenerative disorders provides us with tools to untangle these complex diseases. As is often the case with science, however, answering one question leads to many more.
With these many questions in mind, HMS Beagle organized this discussion to learn more about the current understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, and to find out where scientists in this field think future research should be headed. The participants have summarized some of the most recent findings in neurodegenerative disorders, discussed the specificity of the neuronal degeneration in these diseases, emphasized the importance of looking for causative agents, and provided insight into the use of model systems as a tool for furthering our understanding of neurodegenerative disorders. They have also raised some valuable issues that pertain to how cooperation among academic researchers, clinicians, and the biotechnology industry will lead to the development of treatments for these diseases.
Our SponsorAndrzej Krauze is an illustrator, poster maker, cartoonist, and painter who illustrates regularly for HMS Beagle, The Guardian, The Sunday Telegraph, Bookseller, and New Statesman.
