Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
10:36
Modeling Neuronal Death and Degeneration in Mouse Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons
Published on: November 6, 2017
Cellular and molecular pathways of ischemic neuronal death
Seok Joon Won1, Doo Yeon Kim, Byoung Joo Gwag
1Center for the Interventional Therapy of Stroke and Alzheimers Disease, Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, San 5, Wonchondong, Paldalgu, Suwon, Kyungkido 442-749, South Korea.
Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|October 27, 2005
Summary
Neuronal death can occur via excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, or apoptosis. Targeting these pathways together may prevent brain injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Neuronal death is a critical factor in neurological disorders.
- Understanding the mechanisms of neuronal death is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and describe the main pathways leading to neuronal death.
- To explore the role of these pathways in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
- To propose a therapeutic strategy for mitigating neuronal loss.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on neuronal death pathways.
- Analysis of signal transduction mechanisms.
- Examination of evidence from hypoxic-ischemic brain injury models.
Main Results:
- Three primary routes of neuronal death identified: excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.
- Excitotoxicity involves ionotropic glutamate receptor overactivation, leading to ion influx and rapid cell death.
- Oxidative stress results from reactive oxygen and nitrogen species accumulation.
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, also contributes to neuronal loss in mature nervous systems.
- These pathways operate through distinct, mutually exclusive signal transduction mechanisms.
- All three pathways contribute to neuronal loss in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic interventions for hypoxic-ischemic brain injury should target excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis concurrently.
- A concerted approach to blocking these pathways offers a promising strategy for neuroprotection.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
01:16Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis
Necrosis is a form of irreversible cell death caused by severe injury such as ischemia, toxins, or trauma. Unlike programmed cell death, it is an uncontrolled, pathological process that typically provokes inflammation in surrounding tissues.Pathophysiologic ChangesNecrosis begins when cells sustain critical damage, leading to swelling of organelles, particularly mitochondria, and rapid ATP depletion. As energy levels decline, membrane ion pumps fail, leading to calcium influx and eventually,...
01:11Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death
Cell death is the irreversible loss of cellular structure and function, representing the final stage of severe injury. It plays a key role in both normal physiology and disease.Types of Cell DeathThe two main types are necrosis and apoptosis, though others like necroptosis and pyroptosis also exist.Necrosis:Necrosis is an unregulated form of cell death caused by severe injury such as trauma, toxins, or ischemia. It is characterized by cell swelling, membrane loss, rupture, and leakage of...
01:00Cellular Injury I: Introduction
Cellular injury occurs when a cell cannot maintain homeostasis or adapt to stressors such as hypoxia, toxins, or trauma. Depending on severity and duration, injury may be reversible, allowing recovery, or irreversible, leading to cell death.General Mechanisms of Cell InjuryAlthough causes vary, most cellular injuries arise from a few key mechanisms that disrupt essential functions and often amplify one another. Cell survival depends on the extent and balance of these disturbances.ATP depletion...
01:30Overview of Cell Death
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
01:16Necrosis
Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...