Alzheimer's disease: from pathology to preventive measures.

Introduction. - Sporadic Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent form of d ementia and appears to be associated with increasing age and certain geneti c and environmental factors. Some studies have recently been published on p otential protective factors. Current knowledge and key points. - Several genes appear to be involved; on e of the most common is the ApoE4 allele an chromosome 19. The physiopathol ogy is not elucidated, but recent studies have shown a protective effect fo r NSAIDs, estrogen, nutritional factors (vitamins E, B6 and B12) as well as some biochemical amino acids (homocysteine). Future prospects and projects. - interventional studies are now in progress and some preventive approaches will soon be available. (C) 2000 Editions s cientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.