Istituto Di Neuroscienze - CNR

Neurodegenerative diseases and bioenergetics.

Neurodegenerative diseases are incurable and debilitating conditions that result in progressive degeneration and / or death of nerve cells, an event preceded by a build-up of toxic proteins in the brain and a loss of mitochondrial function associated to the generation of neurotoxic molecules. Only a small proportion (less than 5%) of neurodegenerative diseases are caused by genetic mutations. Research in IN is focused on the mechanisms involved in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, prion diseases), in order to identify new therapeutic approaches suitable to prevent or delay the neurodegenerative processes.