INFLAMMATORY MECHANISMS IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE - IMPLICATIONS FOR THERAPY

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review evidence that infl ammatory and immune mechanisms are important in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease and to suggest new treatment strategies. Method: The authors review the English-language literature of the last 10 year s pertaining to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Results: T here is ample evidence supporting the hypothesis that inflammatory and immune mechanisms are involved in tissue destruction in Alzheimer's d isease. Acute phase proteins are elevated in the serum and are deposit ed in amyloid plaques, activated microglial cells that stain for infla mmatory cytokines accumulate around senile plaques, and complement com ponents including the membrane attack complex are present around dystr ophic neurites and neurofibrillary tangles. Conclusions: Clinical tria ls of anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive drugs are necessary to deter mine whether alteration of these inflammatory mechanisms can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.