title: Reactivation of atrophic neurons in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Decreased metabolic rate may precede cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is thus an early occurring hallmark. Several observations in post-mortem brain indicate that activated neurons are better able to withstand aging and AD, a phenomenon paraphrased by us as 'use it or lose it'. Moreover, a number of pharmacological and nonpharmacological studies support the concept that activation of the brain has beneficial effects and may to a certain degree restore several aspects of cognition and other central functions. For instance, the circadian system may be restimulated in Alzheimer patients by exposing them to more light or transcutaneous nerve stimulation. A procedure has been developed to culture human post-mortem brain tissue that allows testing of the efficacy of putative stimulatory compounds such as neurotrophins.
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors