Molecular and cell biological aspects of Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is one of several types of chronic and very common d ementing disorders, affecting individuals aged 65 years or older. During th e last five years, an enormous growth in the field has enriched our underst anding of this complex condition. Molecular genetic studies have identified at least three genes that, when mutated. cause the autosomal dominant, ear ly-onset familial form of the disease. The late-onset. most common forms of the disease are likely to be associated with various genetic susceptibilit y factors. The application of cell biological techniques has given insight into basic aspects of the functions of important proteins involved in disea se progression. and transgenic animal studies have further enriched our kno wledge of the pathophysiological aspects of the disease. More efficient the rapeutic drugs to retard its progression have been developed, as well as te chniques to identify the preclinical phase of the disorder. Although we are st ill lacking the molecular basis and order of events involved in the dis ease process, the future for AD research, as well as for AD patients, is mo re promising than ever before.