Neurodegeneration and the Aging Brain: Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms of Cognitive Decline

Abstract

Neurodegeneration is a complex, progressive process that leads to the deterioration of

neuronal structure and function, which is strongly associated with cognitive decline in aging

individuals. The aging brain undergoes a variety of molecular changes that contribute to the

pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,

and other forms of dementia. This paper aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms that

underlie cognitive decline in the aging brain, focusing on cellular processes such as oxidative

stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein aggregation. Understanding

these mechanisms is crucial for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies to mitigate

age-related cognitive impairments.