Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
12:28
Abbiategrasso Brain Bank Protocol for Collecting, Processing and Characterizing Aging Brains
Published on: June 3, 2020
Alzheimer's disease: epidemiology, genetics, and beyond
Xiao-Ping Wang1, Hong-Liu Ding
1Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200080, China.
Neuroscience Bulletin
|March 29, 2008
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing public health threat, with prevalence increasing sharply in older adults. Genetic factors, including specific gene mutations and the APOE4 allele, are known contributors to AD risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a significant and escalating global health challenge.
- Prevalence of AD increases exponentially with age, affecting up to 50% of individuals by age 95.
- While the exact causes remain under investigation, genetic factors are established contributors to AD etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the current understanding of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as a public health epidemic.
- To highlight the role of genetics in AD onset and risk.
- To inform about the availability and utility of genetic screening for high-risk individuals.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Alzheimer's disease (AD) epidemiology and genetics.
- Identification of key genes associated with familial and sporadic AD.
- Discussion of the implications of genetic research for AD risk assessment.
Main Results:
- Women exhibit a slightly higher susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Specific gene mutations (APP, PSEN1, PSEN2) and the APOE4 allele are strongly linked to AD.
- Ongoing human genomic research continues to identify novel genes associated with AD.
Conclusions:
- Genetic screening for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is available for individuals at elevated risk.
- Genetic information can empower at-risk individuals and their families to prepare for future care needs.
- Understanding genetic predispositions is crucial for proactive public health strategies against AD.
More Related Videos
08:29Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans
Published on: December 18, 2016
09:33Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling (q3DISM) of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: December 26, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
01:30Dementia
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.