Alzheimer's Disease: Will Advances Made in the Past Turn the Tide?

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1494-1496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd P Semla

2006 marked the 40th year of publication for The Annals. Throughout its history, The Annals has provided important contributions to the development of clinical pharmacy. In 2007, we are continuing to publish articles reflecting on the history of clinical pharmacy through the eyes of practitioners, including those pioneering clinical pharmacy, as well as those who have more recently entered the profession and a well-established specialty. In addition, we are presenting articles and editorials from the early history of The Annals that have given direction and shape to the practice of clinical pharmacy (see page 1499).

Author(s):  
Daniëlle de Jong ◽  
Berry P.H. Kremer ◽  
Marcel G.M. Olde Rikkert ◽  
Marcel M. Verbeek

AbstractIn this comprehensive review, we summarize the current state-of-the-art of neurochemical biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. Predominantly, these biomarkers comprise cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers directly related to the pathophysiology of this disorder (such as amyloid β protein, tau protein). We particularly pay attention to the innovations in this area that have been made in technological aspects during the past 5 years (e.g., multiplex analysis of biomarkers, proteomics), to the discovery of novel, potential biomarkers (e.g., amyloid β oligomers, isoprostanes), and to the extension of this research towards identification of biomarkers in plasma.Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1421–34.


Author(s):  
Chris MacKnight

A great deal of progress has been made in the management of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias over the past 25 years. Much remains to be achieved, however. This article discusses some of the issues surrounding study design. In the absence of an accepted biological marker of progression, it is unlikely that a novel study design, such as randomized start or withdrawal, in itself could provide convincing evidence of disease modification. Biological markers will also be crucial in the development of therapies aimed at specific processes, and of immunotherapies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 162 (25) ◽  
pp. 970-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nóra Balázs ◽  
Tibor Kovács

Összefoglaló. A neurodegeneratív betegségek között az Alzheimer-kór a leggyakoribb kórforma. Morbiditása és mortalitása világszerte egyre gyorsabb ütemben növekszik, ezáltal szociális és gazdasági hatása is folyamatosan fokozódó terhet jelent a társadalomra. Az elmúlt néhány évtizedben jelentős előrelépés történt az Alzheimer-kór megismerésében, számos biomarker támogatja a diagnózis felállítását, tüneti terápiát szolgáló gyógyszerek kerültek bevezetésre. Az Alzheimer-kór klinikai megjelenése, lefolyása, viselkedése rendkívül változatos képet mutat, felismerése a rendelkezésre álló eszközök ellenére is kihívást jelenthet a nagy tapasztalattal bíró klinikusok számára is. Munkánk céljául tűztük ki, hogy összefoglaljuk az Alzheimer-kór genetikai, patológiai és klinikai jellemzőit, segítve ezzel a betegség jobb meg- és felismerését. Bemutatjuk a jelenleg érvényben lévő patológiai és klinikai irányelvek kritériumrendszereit, az újabb klasszifikációs szemléleteket. Részletesen ismertetjük az Alzheimer-kór heterogenitását genotípus és fenotípus szintjén egyaránt. Elemezzük a típusos és atípusos megjelenési formák jellemzőit, a társuló kórállapotoknak a megjelenésre és a progresszióra gyakorolt hatását. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(25): 970–977. Summary. Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. Morbidity and mortality of Alzheimer’s disease are increasing worldwide causing important social and economic burden on the society. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the understanding of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, several biomarkers support the diagnosis and drugs for symptomatic therapy had been introduced. The clinical manifestations and the course of Alzheimer’s disease have a variable picture, so – despite the diagnostic opportunities – its diagnosis could be a challenge for highly experienced clinicians as well. The aim of our work was to summarize the genetic, pathological and clinical characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease, thus helping to better understand and recognize the disease. We present the criteria systems of the currently valid pathological and clinical guidelines with the most recent classification approaches. The heterogeneity of Alzheimer’s disease at both genotype and phenotype levels is described in detail. The characteristics of typical and atypical manifestations and the effect of co-pathologies on the appearance and progression of Alzheimer’s disease are also discussed. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(25): 970–977.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-247
Author(s):  
Niloufar Choubdar ◽  
Sara Avizheh

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of dementia affecting over 46 million people, according to AD International. Over the past few decades, there has been considerable interest in developing nanomedicines. Using nanocarriers, the therapeutic compound could be delivered to the site of action where it gets accumulated. This accumulation, therefore, reduces the required doses for therapy. Alternatively, using nanocarriers decreases the side effects. Nanotechnology has had a great contribution in developing Drug Delivery Systems (DDS). These DDS could function as reservoirs for sustained drug release or control the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of the drugs. In the current review, we have collected 38 original research articles using nanotechnology as DDS for the clinically used cholinesterase inhibitor drugs donepezil (DPZ), Rivastigmine (Riv), and galantamine (Gal) used for AD treatment from 2002 to 2017 from Scopus and PubMed databases. Regarding DDS used for DPZ, most of the research in recent years dealt with polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) including Poly-D, L-Lactide-Co-Glycolide (PLGA), and chitosans (CHs), then Liposomes (LPs), nanogels, and natural products, respectively. In terms of Riv most of the research performed was focused on polymeric NPs including PLGA, polylactic acid (PLA), Poly-Ε-Caprolactone (PCL), poly-alkyl-cyanoacrylates, CH, gelatin and then LPs. The highest application of NPs in regard to Gal was related to modified LPs and polymeric NPs. Polymeric NPs demonstrate safety, higher stability in biological fluids and against enzymatic metabolism, biocompatibility, bioavailability, and improved encapsulation efficacy. LPs, another major delivery system used, demonstrate biocompatibility, ease of surface modification, and amphiphilic nature.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (04) ◽  
pp. 571-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Miller ◽  
Dennis Orwat ◽  
Gelareh Rahimi ◽  
Jacobo Mintzer

ABSTRACTIntroduction:The relationship between Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and alcohol addiction is poorly characterized. Arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) can serve as a proxy for alcohol addiction. Therefore, the potential association between DUI and AD could be helpful in understanding the relationship between alcohol abuse and AD.Materials and methods:A retrospective, population-based cohort study using state health and law enforcement data was performed. The study cross-referenced 141,281 South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Registry cases with state law enforcement data.Results:Of the 2,882 registry cases (1.4%) found to have a history of at least one DUI arrest, cases were predominantly White (58.7%) and male (77.4%). Results showed a correlation coefficient of 0.7 (p < 0.0001) between the age of first DUI arrest and the age of AD diagnosis. A dose-response relationship between the number of DUIs and age of AD onset was found to exist, where those with a history of DUI arrest were diagnosed an average of 9.1 years earlier, with a further 1.8 years earlier age at diagnosis in those with two or more arrests for DUI. A history of DUI arrest was also found to be negatively associated with survival after diagnosis, with a 10% decreased life expectancy in those with a DUI arrest history.Conclusions:Driving under the influence, a potential indicator of alcohol addiction, is associated with an earlier onset of AD registry diagnosis and shortened survival after diagnosis. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence suggesting that some cases of AD are alcohol related and, possibly, postponable or preventable.


2019 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 12-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad El Haj ◽  
Ahmed A. Moustafa ◽  
Karim Gallouj ◽  
Frédérique Robin

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