Alzheimer’s
disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous
system and the leading cause of dementia in elder people. The clinical symptoms
of AD are memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. Pathologically, AD is characterized
by the deposition of β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphrylated
tau protein in the brain and neurodegeneration. However, the cause of AD is not
known. Various genetic and non genetic factors have been involved in the pathogenesis.
The main genetic risk factor of AD is E4 allele of apolipoprotein E. Currently;
no effective treatment is available for AD. Only two classes of drugs namely acetylcholinesterase
inhibitor (Galantamine, Rivastigmine, Donepezil), and N-methy- -D-aspartate
receptor antagonist (Memantine) are available for AD treatment. These drugs
have limited effectiveness and disagreeable side-effects in AD patients. This chapter
focuses on the molecular biology, pathophysiology of the disease and various diagnostic
and prognostic biomarkers for the management of AD.
Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, Alzheimer's disease, Biomarkers, β- amyloid, Neurofibrillary tangles, Neurodegenerative.
