Future directions in the analysis of gene expression in Alzheimer disease

This review briefly explores future directions for gene expression research in Alzheimer disease (AD). Two complementary techniques, differential display and gene expression arrays, allow researchers to identify differentially expressed genes. These techniques promote a systematic examination of gene expression. In conjunction with a technique that allows the isolation of mRNA from individual cells, differential display and gene expression array technology can be used to examine AD-induced changes in gene expression patterns in individual cells. This area of research should elucidate information that will provide a greater understanding of the pathological processes in AD and aid in the development of therapeutic agents.