Brain spinal cord and neurons Yes, you are correct. Neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and others are characterized by the progressive degeneration and death of nerve cells in the brain and/or spinal cord.
One of the common features of these disorders is the degradation of the myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers. The myelin sheath is a fatty, insulating layer that allows nerve impulses to travel quickly and efficiently along the nerve fibers.
In ALS, the myelin sheath around the nerve fibers that control muscle movement is gradually destroyed, leading to muscle weakness, stiffness, and eventually paralysis.
In Parkinson's disease, the myelin sheath in the brain that surrounds the nerve fibers that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine is damaged, leading to the characteristic motor symptoms of tremors, rigidity, and slowness of movement.
In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks and damages the myelin sheath in the brain and/or spinal cord, leading to a wide range of neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, numbness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
Overall, the degradation of the myelin sheath in these neurodegenerative disorders is thought to play a key role in the progressive loss of nerve function and the development of symptoms.