How can we prevent neuronal apoptosis?

The cells that make up the nervous system die at two distinct times during the lifetime of an organism. These periods of neuron loss occur during embryonic development and also during neurodegenration or ageing. During development, neuronal apoptosis is essential for the correct shaping and hard-wiring of the nervous system. However, in a number of neurological conditions, apoptosis causes a devastating, and currently irreversible, loss of neurons. This review considers the extracellular and intracellular signals that determine which neurons live, and which neurons die, during development. It then asks the question of whether our understanding of apoptosis during neurodevelopment can lead to novel treatments to protect the nervous system from neuron loss due to pathology and/or ageing.