title: Molecular biology and genetics of Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: The recent progress in molecular biology research has changed the past concepts on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other nervous system amyloidoses. This paper compiles the basic principles of molecular biology of AD and reviews their clinical impact The new data about the function and metabolism of amyloid precursor protein and the more recent information on the role of the apolipoprotein E have provided new insight into the pathogenesis of this disease. Although further investigations are still required to assemble these data into a theory that completely explains the development of the disease and changes the present symptomatic therapeutic strategies to an entire preventive or curative approach, the recent research results in this field are relevant for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of AD patients.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Ramon y Cajal Hospital, Madrid, SpainNeurotransmitters Unit, Research Department, Ramon y Cajal Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Escrig
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bianco-Jerez
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Orensanz