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Review Article

Exp Neurobiol 2015; 24(4): 325-340

Published online December 30, 2015

https://doi.org/10.5607/en.2015.24.4.325

© The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Sciences

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Geon Ha Kim1,2, Jieun E. Kim1,3, Sandy Jeong Rhie1,4 and Sujung Yoon1*

1Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University,
2Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine,
3Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences,
4College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea

Correspondence to: *To whom correspondence should be addressed.
TEL: 82-2-3277-2466, FAX: 82-2-3277-6562
e-mail: sujungjyoon@ewha.ac.kr

Received: August 20, 2015; Revised: September 14, 2015; Accepted: September 14, 2015

Abstract

Oxidative stress is induced by an imbalanced redox states, involving either excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or dysfunction of the antioxidant system. The brain is one of organs especially vulnerable to the effects of ROS because of its high oxygen demand and its abundance of peroxidation-susceptible lipid cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress plays a central role in a common pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Antioxidant therapy has been suggested for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, although the results with regard to their efficacy of treating neurodegenerative disease have been inconsistent. In this review, we will discuss the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases and in vivo measurement of an index of damage by oxidative stress. Moreover, the present knowledge on antioxidant in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and future directions will be outlined.

Keywords: Oxidative stress, Reactive oxygen species, Neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Antioxidant