[Alzheimer dementia: more than amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary degeneration]

Abstract

Molecular studies of amyloid pathology have tended to obscure the fact that plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are highly unspecific changes that are also found in most elderly nondemented individuals. Recent work suggests that an interleukin 6-mediated immunological process is an important, possibly specific, element of Alzheimer's disease. The present review summarizes a number of somewhat neglected aspects of the disease and draws attention to a number of pharmacotherapeutic possibilities. Finally the article discusses evidence that appears to indicate that stress factors may also be involved in the pathogenesis of this condition.