In search of the causes and treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer disease occurs in most patients with demential symptomatology. The deterioration of the mental functions is different from the one observe d in the normal aging process. Various hypotheses have been made regarding its pathophysiology but the most important ones are the amiloid toxicity an d the presence of the neurotoxic free radicals. The genotype for Apolipopro tein E and the form of the alelo beta-4 are important risk factors. Besides analizing these hypotheses, its symptomatology and its relation wit h recent brain-image data were also analyzed. The author discusses the ongoing therapeutic resources, and describes the m ost important lines of investigation and the most recent projects on neural regeneration.