脑老化与神经系统退变性疾病

Brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases

一般认为正常人或健康的脑老化现象 ,脑的结构与功能已发生病变 ,与出现以个体行为和认知能力等异常为基本临床表现的神经系统退变性疾病是两个相互独立现象。但是 ,已有许多证据表明 ,二者具有相互重叠的临床和神经病理特征、相似的生化改变和病因与发病机制。因此 ,现在有人认为 ,脑老化可能是神经系统退变性疾病的最初级阶段 ,与疾病的发生有着相同的基础。对它的认识 ,可为神经系统退变性疾病的治疗提出新的思路。

Normal brain aging is different from neurodegenerative diseases which are defined as a pathologic process. However, there is mounting evidence showing normal brain aging involvement in such diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The two processes share clinical and neuropathological properties, biochemical changes and pathogenies. Therefore, the neurogenerative diseases are age associated pathologic processes, in which brain aging is probably the primordial phase.