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Biology

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

2017

Biological Sciences

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Small Rho Gtpase Family Member Cdc42 And Its Role In Neuronal Survival And Apoptosis, Noelle Christine Punessen Jan 2017

Small Rho Gtpase Family Member Cdc42 And Its Role In Neuronal Survival And Apoptosis, Noelle Christine Punessen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are caused by a progressive and aberrant destruction of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. These disorders lack effective long term treatments, and existing options focus primarily on either delaying disease onset or alleviating symptomology. Dysregulated programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, is one of the most significant contributors to neurodegeneration, and is controlled by a number of different factors. Rho GTPases are a protein class with recognized importance in proper neuronal development and migration, and have more recently emerged as regulators of apoptosis and neuronal survival. …