Comprehensive Invited Review Neuronal Apoptosis in Neurodegeneration

ABSTRACT Apoptosis mediates the precise and programmed natural death of neurons and is a physiologically importantprocess in neurogenesis during maturation of the central nervous system. However, premature apoptosisand/or an aberration in apoptosis regulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration, a multi-faceted process that leads to various chronic disease states, such as Alzheimer’s (AD), Parkinson’s (PD), Hunt-ington’s (HD) diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and diabetic en-cephalopathy. The current review focuses on two major areas (a) the fundamentals of apoptosis, which includeselements of the apoptotic machinery, apoptosis inducers, and emerging concepts in apoptosis research, and(b) apoptotic involvement in neurodegenerative disorders, neuroprotective treatment strategies/modalities,and the mechanisms of, and signaling in, neuronal apoptosis. Current and new experimental models for apop-tosis research in neurodegenerative diseases are also discussed.