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Updated: May 3, 2026
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Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans
Published on: December 18, 2016
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Alzheimer--certitudes and hypotheses.
Ioana Cristina Amihăesei1, Elena Cojocarut1, O C Mungiu2
1Discipline of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa, Iasi.
Summary
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive cognitive condition affecting millions. Current treatments offer only temporary symptom relief, highlighting the need for better diagnostic methods and effective therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, irreversible neurodegenerative condition impacting cognitive functions, first described in 1907.
- AD is a leading cause of dementia, with an estimated 35.6 million cases globally in 2010, characterized by amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal loss.
- The neuropathology of AD presents paradoxes, including the presence of AD lesions in healthy individuals and incomplete lesion sets in diagnosed cases, complicating definitive diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of Alzheimer's disease, including its historical context, neuropathological hallmarks, and diagnostic challenges.
- To discuss the complexities in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, given the variability in lesion presentation and the limitations of clinical criteria.
- To explore ongoing research and therapeutic strategies aimed at developing effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of historical and contemporary research on Alzheimer's disease.
- Analysis of neuropathological findings and their correlation with clinical diagnosis.
- Examination of current and experimental therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer's disease.
Main Results:
- Alzheimer's disease is characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, but these lesions are not exclusive to AD patients.
- Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be uncertain, with significant percentages of misdiagnosis and overlap with other dementias or normal aging.
- Current medications for Alzheimer's disease provide only symptomatic relief, underscoring the need for disease-modifying treatments.
Conclusions:
- The diagnosis and understanding of Alzheimer's disease remain challenging due to atypical presentations and the limitations of current diagnostic tools.
- The development of effective treatments is hindered by the complex pathophysiology and potential misdiagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
- Further research is crucial for accurate diagnosis, understanding the underlying biological processes, and developing effective therapies for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
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