title: Clearing the amyloid in Alzheimer's: progress towards earlier diagnosis and effective treatments - an update for clinicians.
abstract: A beta (Aβ or β-amyloid) is a key molecule in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. According to the 'amyloid hypothesis', the gradual accumulation of Aβ triggers events which results in neuronal loss in regions of the brain involved with memory and learning. Diverse agents have been developed to reduce brain Aβ accumulation or to enhance its clearance. Some have progressed to human trials, however all have failed to improve cognition in patients. This has led researchers to question whether Aβ is really the problem. However, the trials have been targeting end stages of AD, by which stage extensive irreversible neuronal damage has already occurred. Intervention is required preclinically, therefore preclinical AD biomarkers are needed. In this regard, amyloid imaging and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers are leading the way, with plasma biomarkers and eye tests also being investigated. This review covers the current state of knowledge of Aβ as an early diagnostic biomarker and as a therapeutic target in AD.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research & Care, School of Medical Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia.
authors.forename: Prita R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Asih
authors.forename: Pratishtha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verdile
authors.forename: Veer B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Trengove
authors.forename: Ralph N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D058225:Plaque, Amyloid; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: CSF; PET amyloid imaging plasma biomarkers; Type 2 diabetes; amyloid; anti-amyloid drug; biomarkers; lifestyle; retinal photography