CAUSES OF DEGENERATIVE
DISEASES
Degenerative diseases are characterised by progressive tissue degeneration and loss of the disease-specific regions. The disease arises without any clear inciting event in a patient without previous associated neurologic deficits. Many of these diseases are associated with ageing or are exacerbated due to the ageing process.
​
Based on the affected tissue, degenerative diseases can be categorized as nervous (Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s), cardiovascular (myocardial infarction and senile aortic stenosis) and neoplastic (tumours and cancer).
​
Degenerative diseases can occur due to numerous circumstances such as leading an unhealthy lifestyle, normal wear and tear due to ageing, environmental factors, due to severe injuries or because of inherited genetic faults. There are many other factors which have not yet been identified, however, it has been brought to light that an important similarity among patients suffering from such diseases is the presence of abnormal proteins.
​
​
Most degenerative diseases develop because of a combination of genetic and environmental conditions. For example, abnormal protein structures are responsible for the cell-to-cell spread of common degenerative diseases like amyloidosis, tauopathies and TDP-43 proteinopathies.
​
Osteoporosis is caused due to mutations in genes which are responsible for the production of protein complexes necessary for prolyl-3-hydroxylation of collagen. Parkinson’s has been linked with long-term exposure to toxins and pesticides.
​
The exact mechanism by which genetic mutations or environmental changes cause degeneration is not well understood, which is why doctors continue to treat the symptoms of these diseases without actually being able to cure the disease itself. All of these reasons put together makes it very difficult to predict which groups of people would be more susceptible to degenerative diseases.