Many diseases can cause cell death, leading to various health issues. Some common examples include:
- Neurodegenerative diseases:
- Alzheimer's disease: Characterized by the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, leading to the death of brain cells and cognitive decline.
- Huntington's disease: A genetic disorder affecting the nervous system, causing the death of neurons in the basal ganglia, resulting in involuntary movements and cognitive impairment.
- Parkinson's disease: Involves the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to tremors, rigidity, and slow movements.
- Blood disorders:
- Aplastic anemia: A rare condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, leading to cell death and potential organ damage.
- Cardiovascular diseases:
- Heart attack: Occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted, causing damage and death of heart muscle cells.
- Stroke: Happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or becomes blocked, cutting off blood flow and oxygen to the brain, resulting in neuronal death.
- Autoimmune diseases:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath protecting nerve fibers, leading to inflammation and damage, eventually causing nerve cell death.
- Diabetes:
- Type I diabetes: An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to cell death and impaired glucose regulation.
These are just a few examples of diseases that cause cell death. It's essential to remember that various factors can contribute to cell death, including genetics, environment, lifestyle, and other diseases.
