Gorman A M, McGowan A, O'Neill C, Cotter T
Department of Biochemistry, University College, Lee Maltings, Cork, Ireland.
J Neurol Sci. 1996 Aug;139 Suppl:45-52. doi: 10.1016/0022-510x(96)00097-4.
The pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease is unknown. These diseases are characterized by a slow, progressive loss of particular subsets of neurons. Much evidence has accumulated which supports the hypothesis that oxidative stress and damage by free radicals may play an important part in these diseases. In particular recent studies with the inherited form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have revealed mutations in the superoxide dismutase gene, which is one of the cell's main defence mechanisms against oxidative stress. These findings suggest a direct link between oxidative stress and the development of a neurodegenerative disease.
帕金森病、肌萎缩侧索硬化症和阿尔茨海默病等神经退行性疾病的发病机制尚不清楚。这些疾病的特征是特定神经元亚群缓慢、渐进性丧失。已有大量证据支持氧化应激和自由基损伤可能在这些疾病中起重要作用这一假说。特别是最近对遗传性肌萎缩侧索硬化症的研究发现，超氧化物歧化酶基因发生了突变，而该基因是细胞对抗氧化应激的主要防御机制之一。这些发现表明氧化应激与神经退行性疾病的发展之间存在直接联系。
