Understanding Alzheimer’s disease: A Review

Biological and Medical Science (Pharmacy, Pharmacology & Therapeutics)

Alzheimer Disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive decline leading to complete need for care within several years after clinical diagnosis. Alzheimer disease is characterized by deposition of amyloid plaques affecting memory, behaviour as well as cognition. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was discovered more than a hundred years ago. In spite all of this, the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease, as well as the occurence of the primary changes in the brain are still not fully understood. Pathophysiology changes due to AD involves loss of neurons, deposition of amyloid plaques, Neurofibrillary tangles, neurotransmitter changes such as cholinergic depletion, GABA, somatostatin, glutamate and corticotropin. Total Tau, Amyloid beta and phosphorylated Tau are the main biomarkers which act as a prospective tool in unfolding mysteries regarding mechanism as well as preventive measures towards occurrence of dementia. Certain animal models are also utilized for clinical studies of various anti-alzheimer drugs. Despite of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, special care is needed to the patient. The main focus in AD research lies between underlying risk factors as well as newer therapies or treatment for delaying and preventing symptoms and onset of AD.

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