Alzheimer Disease: Therapeutic Strategies (Advances in Alzheimer Disease Therapy) - Hardcover

Since the apoE4 allele is a risk factor or susceptibility gene in late-onset familial and sporadic AD, the mechanism of disease expression may involve metabolic effects that are isoform specific. Isoform-specific interactions of apoE therefore become critical in the mechanism of AD pathogenesis. Detailed characterization of the binding of the apoE isoforms with proteins and peptides relevant to the pathology of the disease may be critical in understanding disease pathogenesis. These critical isoform-specific interactions of apoE may involve interactions with proteins and pep tides in the defining neuropathologic lesions of the disease, the neurofibrillary tangle and senile plaque. Other possible critical isoform-specific interactions include the mechanism of internalization, intracellular trafficking, and subsequent metabolism. In addition, differential post-translational modifications of apoE isoforms may determine differences in metabolism contributing to the pathogenesis of the disease. Oxidation of apoE may confer several isoform-specific, biochemically distinct properties. Since {3A peptide binds apoE in the lipoprotein binding domain of the protein and not in the receptor-binding domain, apoE could target bound {3A4 peptide to neurons via the LRP receptor. Internalization of the apoEI {3A peptide complex into the cell, by the same route as the apoE-containing lipoproteins, would result in incorporation into primary lysosomes and pH dependent dissociation. The demonstration of apoE in the cytoplasm of neurons, with isoform-specific interactions of apoE with the microtubule-binding protein tau demonstrated in vitro, suggest additional, testable hypotheses of disease pathogenesis.

This volume provides reviews of advances in basic and clinical sciences that are relevant to understanding the aetiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, with particular emphasis placed on the examination of AD treatment. Its chapters include discussions on the function of the cholinergic system of the human brain and the role of cholinesterase inhibitors in AD treatment; the role of muscarinic and nicotinic agonists as drugs for AD treatment; excitatory amino acids, Ca++ cellular homeostasis, nootropic drugs, neurotrophins, growth factors and neuroprotection in AD treatment; antioxidants, protective and anti-inflammatory agents in AD therapy; and much more. Treatment for the symptoms of dementia, depression, agitation and sleep disturbance are also examined, and the socio-economic aspects of AD treatment, with particular emphasis on the cost of drugs, are discussed.