Abiotrophy

In medical usage, abiotrophy refers of the degeneration (especially prematurely) of cells and tissues or the loss of function (without injury) of cells or organs. In humans and animals both, old age is recognized as a common source of abiotrophy. There are also examples recognized as genetic syndromes that cause abiotrophy - particularly in dogs, cats and horses but some can also develop in humans. An example of this cerebellar atrophy (also known as cerebellar cortical atrophy) a genetic neurological disease that develops when the neurons known as Purkinje cells (located in the cerebellum of the brain) begin to die off affecting balance and coordination (and speech in humans).