title: Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease is a chronic illness with long preclinical and prodromal phases (20 years) and an average clinical duration of 8-10 years. The disease has an estimated prevalence of 10-30% in the population >65 years of age with an incidence of 1-3%. Most patients with Alzheimer's disease (>95%) have the sporadic form, which is characterized by a late onset (80-90 years of age), and is the consequence of the failure to clear the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide from the interstices of the brain. A large number of genetic risk factors for sporadic disease have been identified. A small proportion of patients (<1%) have inherited mutations in genes that affect processing of Aβ and develop the disease at a much younger age (mean age of ∼45 years). Detection of the accumulation of Aβ is now possible in preclinical and prodromal phases using cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and PET. Several approved drugs ameliorate some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, but no current interventions can modify the underlying disease mechanisms. Management is focused on the support of the social networks surrounding the patient and the treatment of any co-morbid illnesses, such as cerebrovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Colin L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Masters
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bateman
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kaj
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blennow
authors.affiliation: Molecular Imaging Research, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.|Massachusetts General Hospital Memory Disorders Unit, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Reisa A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sperling
authors.affiliation: Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cummings
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: C545487:APP protein, human; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D015415:Biomarkers