Abstract
Oxidative stress is to some extent a physiological consequence of biochemical and bioenergetic processes and accompanies aerobic organisms throughout their lives. Oxidative stress contributes to the natural aging and plays an important role in the immune response.
Each organism has developed a complex system of antioxidant defense which protects it against the free radical damage. The failure of this highly specialized system can lead to irreversible damage to biomolecules and thereby seriously damage their physiological functions.
Radical damage and loss of functions of brain cells is characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. This is the reason why the increased oxidative stress is thought to be the initial impetus for developing this progressive disease.
This article brings an overview of pathobiochemical mechanisms of oxidative stress in the brain tissue that accompany progression of Alzheimer's disease.