Neurodegenerative Diseases

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent of the neurodegenerative amyloid diseases and is characterized by accumulation of amyloid-β and tau. Recent studies have indicated that AD may be a brain infection. Although AD has not been shown to be transmissible, the burning issue is whether the potential infectious causes are the misfolded amyloid proteins themselves, or an unidentified microorganism. The idea of a replicating protein (prion) evolved from research on the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) represented by Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. Recognition of conventional bacterial or viral involvement in the pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative diseases could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This treatise encourages a more balanced research and funding approach to investigating the exciting possibility of the infectious nature of AD. Recognition of conventional bacterial or viral involvement in the pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative diseases could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This treatise encourages a more balanced research and funding approach to investigating the exciting possibility of the infectious nature of AD. Since prions are becoming a major focus of research efforts in trying to determine underlying pathogenic factors in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases, the basic concept of replication of proteins as cause of disease has to be critically evaluated. Prions accumulate in at least 90% of CJD cases. Frank O Bastian, Cross-Roads in Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases

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Last date updated on September, 2024