J Appl Biomed 2:123-130, 2004 | DOI: 10.32725/jab.2004.015

Alzheimer's disease: neurobiological advances supporting proposals for new therapeutical approaches

André Nieoullon

Cellular Interactions, Neurodegeneration and Neuroplasticity Research Unit, UMR6186-CNRS and l'Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most important diseases related to ageing. The social and human cost is very high especially because of the increase in the normal life span in developed countries. There is presently no cure for the disease and stimulating the cholinergic central neurotransmission is today the only therapeutic approach which has been shown to successfully improve the cognitive state in a significant population of patients. In such a context, research projects should be aimed specifically at reducing brain lesions resulting from the disease, especially those due to the amyloid peptide accumulation, and at reducing or even halting the clinical evolution of the disease and consequent neurodegenerative processes.

Keywords: neuroprotection; amyloid protein precursor (APP); βA4 protein; tau protein; astrocytes; excitatory amino acids

Received: April 21, 2004; Revised: May 6, 2004; Published: July 31, 2004  Show citation