How Does Neuronal Degeneration Affect Brain Structure?
Neuronal degeneration can lead to significant structural changes in the brain. This includes cortical atrophy, which is the thinning of the cerebral cortex due to neuronal loss. Enlargement of ventricles may occur as a result of the loss of brain tissue. In specific neurodegenerative diseases, certain regions of the brain are more affected than others. For example, the hippocampus is particularly vulnerable in Alzheimer's disease, while the substantia nigra is primarily affected in Parkinson's disease.