Cause 9: Oxidative Stress: The Silent Brain Scourge in FTD
Often overlooked, oxidative stress forms an invisible yet potent threat to our brain health, especially in neurodegenerative diseases such as FTD. It’s a condition that arises when there’s an imbalance between the production of harmful free radicals and our body’s ability to counteract or detoxify their harmful effects.
Free radicals are by-products of our body’s metabolism. While they serve essential roles in small amounts, an overproduction or failure to neutralize them effectively can result in oxidative stress. This condition can damage all components of the cell, including proteins, lipids, and DNA, ultimately leading to cell death.
In the context of FTD, oxidative stress might exacerbate the disease’s progress by accelerating neuronal damage and death. This might be particularly true in instances where misfolded proteins like Tau and Progranulin are involved, as oxidative stress can further destabilize these proteins, enhancing their toxic effects.
Identifying the role of oxidative stress in FTD is vital as it provides potential avenues for intervention. Antioxidants, which combat free radicals, may hold some promise in managing FTD progression. Various dietary antioxidants like Vitamins C and E, and compounds in fruits and vegetables, are being investigated for their potential neuroprotective effects. (9)
