1,721,667 research outputs found
Genetic risk factors and role of immune dysfunction in FTLD
No full textA new study has identified novel genes involved in sporadic frontotemporal lobar degeneration with neuronal inclusions of TAR DNA-binding protein 43. These findings might enable the elucidation of pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and have implications for the identification of potential therapeutic targets
Biological marker in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders: genetics
No full textBehavioural disturbances in frontotemporal lobar degeneration: recent advances in molecular genetics and neurobiology
No full textInflammation and oxidative damage in Alzheimer's disease : friend or foe?
No full textThe two major neuropathologic hallmarks of AD are extracellular Amyloid beta plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. A number of additional pathogenic mechanisms have been described, including inflammation and oxidative damage. Regarding inflammation, several cytokines and chemokines have been detected both immunohistochemically and in Cerebrospinal Fluid from patients. Some of them, including Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Interferon-gamma-inducible Protein-10, Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 and Interleukin-8, are increased in AD and in Mild Cognitive Impairment, considered the prodromal stage of AD, suggesting that these modifications occur very early during the development of the disease, possibly explaining the failure of trials with anti-inflammatory agents in patients with severe AD. Further evidence suggests that cytokines and chemokines could play a role in other neurodegenerative disorders. These disorders are considered multifactorial diseases, and genetic factors influence pathological events and contribute to change the disease phenotype from patient to patient. Gene polymorphisms in crucial molecules, including cytokines, chemokines and molecules related to oxidative stress, may act as susceptibility factors, or may operate as regulatory factors, modulating the severity of pathogenic processes
Clinical phenotypes and genetic biomarkers of FTLD
No full textFrontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the most frequent neurodegenerative disorder with a presenile onset. It presents with a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from behavioural and executive impairment to language disorders and motor dysfunction. New diagnostic criteria identified two main cognitive syndromes: behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Regarding bvFTD, new criteria that include the use of biomarkers have been proposed. According to them, bvFTD can be classified in "possible" (clinical features only), "probable" (inclusion of imaging biomarkers) and "definite" (in the presence o f a known causal mutation or at autopsy). Concerning autosomal dominant mutations, microtubule associated protein tau gene mutations have been the first ones identified and are generally associated with early onset bvFTD phenotype. More recently, progranulin gene mutations were recognized in association with familial form of FTLD. In addition, other genes are linked to rare cases of familial FTLD, primarily the newly discovered C9ORF72 hexanucleotide expansion repeats. As regards PPA, new consensus criteria identify three syndromes: primary non-fluent aphasia, semantic variant of PPA and logopenic aphasia, which seems to be associated, in the majority of cases, with underlying Alzheimer's disease pathology. In this review, new criteria, including MRI, cerebrospinal fluid and genetic biomarkers, will be presented and discussed
Progress in Alzheimer's disease research in the last year
Full text linkAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, with a prevalence of 5 % after 65 years of age, increasing to about 30 % in people aged 85 years or older. It is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment, including impaired judgment, decision-making and orientation, and in some cases accompanied by psycho behavioral disturbances or language impairment. Herein, we summarize and discuss the main articles describing novel findings in AD published over the last year, including clinical, therapeutic, and research issues. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Pioglitazone for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
No full textAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Pharmacological treatment of AD includes Anticholinesterase Inhibitors (AChEIs) for mild-moderate AD, and memantine for severe AD. These drugs provide mainly symptomatic short-term benefits without clearly influencing the progression of the disease. Pioglitazone (AD4833) is an insulin sensitizer of the thiazolidinedione class of nuclear Peroxisome-Proliferator Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists. It binds to PPARγ, affecting gene transcription and reducing inflammation. Areas covered: This review discusses the history of Pioglitazone, its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics profile, and safety issues, together with an overview of clinical trials carried out so far. A literature search was made in Pubmed for pioglitazone, AD, trial, and on the ClinicalTrials.gov site for clinical trials with Pioglitazone. Expert opinion: A Phase II study in AD, and its previous indication for diabetes, showed that Pioglitazone is safe and well tolerated. So far, two large Phase III trials are ongoing, but there are no preliminary results yet on a possible beneficial effect on cognition in patients with AD
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