MOLECULAR-CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF NEURON DEGENERATION IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by predominant damage to dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain and dysfunction of the nigrostriatal system. In recent decades, a significant body of evidence has accumulated indicating that neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease is underpinned by a complex set of interconnected molecular and cellular mechanisms. Key pathological processes include α-synuclein aggregation, impaired proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, defects in autophagy and mitophagy, and activation of neuroinflammatory responses. The mutual potentiation of these mechanisms forms a persistent degenerative cascade leading to progressive neuronal death.