N.B. Pilkevich, V.A. Markovskaya, O.V. Yavorskaya, A.P.
Smirnova
Belgorod State National Research University,
st. Pobedy, 85, Belgorod, 308015, Russian Federation
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ABSTRACT. Neurodegenerative
diseases are a group of chronic progressive diseases or disorders that mainly
occur in old age and are characterized by functional deterioration and eventual
loss of neuronal cells in certain areas of the brain with memory loss, learning
and thinking disorders, and difficulty in thinking. performing normal daily
activities.
The most common age-related neurodegenerative disorders are Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's diseases. The number of people in the world with dementia in
2016 reached 43.8 million and was the fifth leading cause of death in the world
and the second largest cause of death among the population over 70 years of
age.
Metals are involved in various pathophysiological mechanisms associated
with neurodegenerative diseases by increasing oxidative stress in brain cells,
leading to neuronal death and neurodegeneration.
The aim of this work was to analyze publications devoted to the study of
the pathophysiological relationship of copper with neurodegenerative disorders.
In this review, we reviewed original articles that were searched in the
electronic databases PubMed, eLIBRARY.RU, Web of Science, Google Scholar.
Copper is the third most abundant trace element in the body with
important biological functions including energy metabolism, antioxidant
protection and iron metabolism. It is essential for normal mitochondrial
function, and any functional loss of copper can impair the function of the
electron transport chain and deplete neuronal energy. Copper levels are highly
regulated.
Copper deficiency can lead to low energy levels, impaired glucose and
cholesterol metabolism, increased oxidative damage, changes in the function and
structure of circulating blood and immune cells, and can also cause or
exacerbate neurodegenerative diseases, anemia, metabolic syndrome,
cardiovascular diseases, cancer, as well as increase the risk of developing
infectious and inflammatory conditions with a tendency to chronicity.
Thus, a
complete understanding of copper metabolism and its role in the development of
neurodegenerative diseases underlies the identification of new effective
methods for their treatment.
KEYWORDS: pathophysiology,
copper, Alzgermer's disease, Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative disorders.