Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
08:27
Establishment of a Valuable Mimic of Alzheimer's Disease in Rat Animal Model by Intracerebroventricular Injection of Composited Amyloid Beta Protein
Published on: July 29, 2018
Preventing Alzheimer's disease.
1Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. dselkoe@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 22, 2012
Summary
Effective Alzheimer's disease treatments remain elusive. Future success hinges on earlier intervention using validated biomarkers and increased research investment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) research has spanned three decades without a definitive treatment.
- Recent clinical trials indicate a need for earlier intervention before mild to moderate stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the necessity of early AD intervention.
- To emphasize the role of biomarkers in secondary prevention trials.
- To underscore the need for increased investment and refined trial designs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recent Alzheimer's disease clinical trial results.
- Review of progress in validating presymptomatic biomarkers for AD.
- Discussion of natural disease progression and therapeutic responses.
Main Results:
- Presymptomatic biomarker validation enables secondary prevention trials.
- Analysis of past trials provides insights into disease natural history.
- Current approaches have not yet yielded effective treatments.
Conclusions:
- Treating Alzheimer's disease earlier is crucial for potential therapeutic success.
- Further investment and meticulous trial design are essential for advancing AD research.
- Biomarker development is key to enabling effective secondary prevention strategies.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:26Alzheimer'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...
01:29Alzheimer 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...
01:23Alzheimer 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...
01:30Dementia
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.