Anti-inflammatory substances - a new therapeutic option in Alzheimer's disease.
Among several pathogenetic elements underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD), a brain-specific inflammatory response has recently attracted attention as a cause of neurodegeneration and progressive cognitive decline. Markers of inflammation in AD are activated microglial cells, synthesis of cytokines, acute-phase proteins and complement proteins in areas of brain destruction. Epidemiological studies point to a reduced risk of AD among users of anti-inflammatory drugs. Influencing inflammatory parameters has become the focus of several new treatment strategies and a clinical trial with indomethacin shows promising results. The results from current clinical trials with steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will be available in the near future.
Hüll
M
Dept of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg Medical School, Hauptstr. 5, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Fiebich
BL
Schumann
G
Lieb
K
Bauer
J