Diverse stress and neurodegeneration; an overview

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are significantly increasing health problem because of the aging population worldwide. Moreover, there are no drugs for the treatment for these diseases. Evidently, stress is one of the potential causes contributing to NDs. Here, we discuss how stress causes NDs and its diagnosis vis-à-vis its therapeutic approach and management. Under the influence of diverse stress, the course of NDs including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases was shown to intensify. Oxidative stress has been well documented as a key regulatory factor in mitochondrial dysfunction, accelerated aging, and age-related neuropathologies. Moreover, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) regulates protein quality and cellular homeostasis. The build-up of unfolded proteins causes ER stress, which is accompanied through activation of an adaptive response known as unfolded protein response (UPR). Moreover, prolonged cellular stress promotes apoptotic cell death. Because neurons are particularly vulnerable to protein misfolding, ER and UPR disturbances have been linked to a variety of NDs. Nitric oxide stress plays a critical role in neuroinflammation, pathophysiology of cognitive deficits, and onset/progression of NDs. Additionally, the post-traumatic stress disorder is a type of chronic life stress which may exacerbate traumatic stress and accelerate cellular aging. Nevertheless, additional research is required to fully comprehend the role of different types of stress in onset/progression of NDs, and their management through developing effective strategies.