Calcium signaling and neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD) and spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), present an enormous medical, social, financial and scientific problem. Recent evidence indicates that neuronal calcium (Ca(2+)) signaling is abnormal in many of these disorders. Similar, but less severe, changes in neuronal Ca(2+) signaling occur as a result of the normal aging process. The role of aberrant neuronal Ca(2+) signaling in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders is discussed here. The potential utility of Ca(2+) blockers for treatment of these disorders is also highlighted. It is reasoned that Ca(2+) blockers will be most beneficial clinically when used in combination with other disease-specific therapeutic approaches.