Neurodegeneration: A Convergence Hypothesis Linking Chronic Low‑Dose Diagnostic Radiation to Accelerated Decline

Neurodegenerative diseases are not an inevitable consequence of aging, and understanding their etiology is essential for effective prevention and treatment. This hypothesis proposes that neurodegeneration arises from a convergence of stress across three systems that work together to maintain brain health: mitochondrial function, protein and waste management, and neuroimmune regulation. While several environmental and systemic stressors — such as vascular insufficiency and circadian disruption — have been identified, little attention has been directed toward how repeated low‑dose diagnostic radiation contributes to this burden by incrementally taxing these pathways over the years. This systems view reframes neurodegenerative risk as measurable and modifiable, opening the door to individualized assessment and targeted mitigation.