ADVANCES AND CHALLENGES IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and acco unts for one-half to three-fourths of all cases of dementia. In the Un ited States, AD is the leading cause of a loss of independent living a nd subsequent institutionalization. Approximately 4 million Americans are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease--which results in gre ater than $100 billion dollars in health care costs, This review provi des a description of the cognitive and neuropathological features of A D and the challenge that aging populations around the globe pose to he alth care systems and to societies. A review of new and promising ther apeutic strategies for the prevention of AD is discussed which include s estrogen replacement therapy and anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Pha rmaceutical approaches that delay the progression of the disease, such as antioxidants, are discussed as well as therapeutic strategies for improvement of cognitive function in AD patients, including the new ge neration of compounds aimed at enhancing cholinergic function. This se ction is followed by a review of the current status on nerve growth fa ctor trials. The final section addresses the issue of the genetic link ages of AD, the impact of transgenic and gene knockout mouse models of AD on research in the field and the potential use of gene therapy to treat AD.