Free Radicals and Related Reactive Species in Neurological Diseases

Abstract

Due to its high rate of oxygen utilization and richness in lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids, the central nervous system is vulnerable to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS)- mediated injury. Indeed, increasing evidence shows oxidative stress as an important mechanism underlying various neurological disorders. This chapter summarizes both experimental and clinical data supporting oxidative stress as a critical pathophysiological component of such common neurological diseases as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. The role of oxidative stress in other neurological disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and drug/xenobiotic-induced neurotoxicity is also discussed in this chapter.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral disease, Antioxidant intervention, Huntington’s disease, Neurological diseases, Neurotoxicity, Oxidative stress, Parkinson’s disease, Reactive nitrogen species, Reactive oxygen species, Spinal cord injury, Stroke, Traumatic brain injury.