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Summary: Molecular Basis of the Neurodegenerative Disorders Neurodegenerative disorders are among the most devastating illnesses in western society. The disorders are chronic and progressive. Although these diseases are relatively common and often highly debilitating, the mechanisms responsible for their pathologies are poorly understood, and there are currently no effective preventative therapies. Over the past decade, many genes underlying heritable forms of the neurodegenerative disorders have been identified, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington’s Disease and Friedreich’s ataxia. Genetic anormalies that cause the neurodegenerative disorders are varied and complex. The disorders are characterized by the selective and symmetric loss of neurons in sensory, motor and cognitive systems. The challenge is to understand the pathogeneis of the neurogenerative disorders. There must be an understanding of the abnormalities in proteins transport, interaction and aggregation, The outline of the patterns of cell loss and the identification of disease specific cell markers help in nosologic classification. Alzheimer’s disease is marked by senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal loss and t