title: Is alpha-MSH deficiency the cause of Alzheimer's disease?
abstract: The hypothesis is that a functional deficiency of alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH) is the primary event in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Beginning with the concept that Alzheimer's disease occurs because of a deficiency of a neurotrophic factor specific for central cholinergic neurons data is then presented to support the hypothesis that alpha-MSH is the critical neurotrophic factor.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones