Affiliations: New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, NY, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Khalid Iqbal, Ph.D., Chairman, Department of Neurochemistry, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, New York, NY 10314, USA. Tel.: +1 718 494 5259; Fax: +1 718 494 1080; E-mail: iqbalk@worldnet.att.net.
Abstract: Development of effective neuroprotective drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a formidable challenge because this disease is multifactorial and heterogeneous. Although AD is characterized histopathologically by the presence of numerous amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary degeneration of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain, these two hallmark lesions do not exist in any fixed proportion in this disease. Furthermore, in the brains of some normal aged individuals, there are as many amyloid-β plaques seen as in typical cases of AD. On the other hand, extensive neurofibrillary degeneration of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau and dementia but in the absence of amyloid-β plaques occur in several related neurodegenerative disorders called tauopathies. More than one molecular mechanism has been described for the development of amyloid-β as well as neurofibrillary degeneration of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau. Thus, AD apparently results from several different etiopathogenic mechanisms and offers numerous rational therapeutic targets. We have discovered that there are at least five different subgroups of AD, and future studies are likely to identify additional subgroups. The employment of these subgroups of AD in clinical trials can markedly increase the success in developing specific and potent therapeutic drugs.
