Next steps in Alzheimer's disease research: interaction between epidemiology and basic science

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies have provided important clues about the etiology, prognosis and options for prevention and treatment of AD, and sub-clinical changes in cognition and brain structure. A brief review is given of what we have learned from epidemiologic studies of risk factors and natural history. This is followed by a discussion of how these findings could inform the design of basic research strategies that may further the translation of bench science to the clinic and public health arena.