This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Schweber, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Schweber, M. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Etiologic theories of Alzheimer's disease

Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts

A variety of theories about the cause or origin of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been proposed. Some of these theories are based on a particular research finding, such as abnormal protein formation or aluminum accumulation. Others are based on possible imbalances in brain function (calcium disruption, for example), and some are based on analogies to other diseases such as infectious disorders. Still other theories are based on general systemic conditions such as immune function and nutrition, and some are simply based on speculation. Evidence has been found for separate classifications or subgroups of AD that could imply separate causes. There have also been various genetic explanations for the familial category of AD.

This review summarizes the various theories suggested for AD with the reason sfor their proposal, the evidence for or against them, and their current status. Appraisals have been carnied out from the perspective that identification of the primary cause of AD could be crucial to the discovery of effective treatment strategies.

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol. 1, No. 1, 24-31 (1986)
DOI: 10.1177/153331758600100106


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?