Molecular pathology and biomarker of progression in Alzheimer ’s disease

We know so much and yet we don ’t. What has been learnt about the complex molecular pathology of Alzheimer’s disease and its implications for treatment is without doubt impressive.1 –4 We now even have diagnostic CSF and plasma biomarkers based on this knowledge.5 Despite this, there is a sense of unease. Do we really understand the fundamental mechanisms that lead to cognitive decline in Alzheimer ’s disease or are we focusing on secondary processes, perhaps even epiphenomena? Time will tell but meanwhile this issue ofBrain presents some important new findings from three very different studies. These not only enlarge our understanding of the molecular pathology but also point practically to a potential biomarker of disease progression, an index that has been sorely missing until now.
Source: Brain - Category: Neurology Source Type: research