neurodegenerative

adjective

neu·​ro·​de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive ˌnu̇r-ō-di-ˈje-nə-rə-tiv 

-ˈjen-rə-;

-ˈje-nə-ˌrā-;

-dē-, 

ˌnyu̇r-

: relating to or marked by degeneration of nervous tissue

Examples of neurodegenerative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As governments refocus their policies to tackle conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, mental illness is often being sidelined as a secondary concern rather than as a primary component of brain health. —Eric J. Nestler, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026

In one video posted recently, Liljenquist presents a check to a woman for $500,000, after helping to spotlight her son's struggle with Lafora disease, a rare and fatal recessive neurodegenerative disorder often beginning in adolescence. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026

Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of nerve cells, which become damaged and die, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. —Mason Leib, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

Patrick died in the Northern Ireland Hospice after a three-year battle with motor neuron disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder, his wife Naomi Sheehan posted on Instagram Wednesday, April 8. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing neurodegenerative

• neurodegenerative disease
• neurodegenerative disorder

Rhymes for neurodegenerative

• degenerative
• regenerative
• generative

Medical Definition

neurodegenerative

adjective

neu·​ro·​de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive -di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv, -di-ˈjen-(ə-)rət- 

: relating to or characterized by degeneration of nervous tissue

neurodegeneration

-di-ˌjen-ə-ˈrā-shən, -ˌdē- 

noun