Neurons can deteriorate and die when axonal transport goes wrong. 

Axonal transport is responsible for transporting essential proteins from the cell body to the axon terminals and transporting survival signals from axon terminals to the cell body. Both transportation pathways to and from the neuronal cell body are equally important for the neuron to function and thrive. When axonal transport goes wrong, it can hinder the transmission of survival signals, which in turn affects the production of essential proteins in the cell body, resulting in the deterioration and death of the neuron.  

Studies also indicate that faulty axonal transport may contribute to many conditions related to the nervous system, including multiple sclerosis and Huntington’s disease.