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[Alzheimer disease: from pathogenetic issues to clinical perspectives]
A Costanza1, C Bouras, E Kövari
1Département de psychiatrie, et Faculté de médecine, HUG, Clinique de Belle-ldée, 1225 Chêne-Bourg/Genève.
Revue Medicale Suisse
|October 27, 2012
Summary
This review questions the amyloid cascade hypothesis for Alzheimer disease, highlighting tau protein's role. Early detection of Alzheimer disease is crucial for effective future treatments targeting amyloid or tau.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Alzheimer Disease Research
Context:
- Alzheimer disease pathogenesis is complex, involving more than just the amyloid cascade.
- Recent clinical trials targeting amyloid have yielded disappointing results.
- The tau protein's significance in Alzheimer disease progression is increasingly recognized.
Purpose:
- Critically review the primary pathogenetic mechanisms of Alzheimer disease.
- Evaluate the clinical implications of current research findings.
- Assess the validity of the amyloid cascade hypothesis in explaining cognitive decline.
Summary:
- The amyloid cascade hypothesis is challenged due to therapeutic failures and the growing importance of tau pathology.
- Detecting preclinical Alzheimer disease is essential for the success of future amyloid- or tau-focused therapies.
- Identifying individual vulnerability markers in mild cognitive impairment and even in healthy individuals is a key research challenge.
Impact:
- Shifts focus towards a more nuanced understanding of Alzheimer disease.
- Emphasizes the need for early diagnostic markers.
- Guides future therapeutic strategies and clinical trial design for Alzheimer disease.
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