A century of cognitive decline: If we live long enough, will we all become demented?

Article Abstract:

Alois Alzheimer's description of a distinct pathology linked to dementia in 1907 paved the way for modern study of neurodegenerative diseases. The molecular components of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles were elucidated later in the century. The debate surrounding plaques and tangles has obscured the relationship of dementia to the ageing process. Most dementing illness occurs after the age of 65, and Robert Terry, Henry Wisniewski and colleagues showed that Alzheimer type dementia is a disease and not the inevitable consequence of ageing.

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Caspase-12 mediates endoplasmic-reticulum-specific apoptosis and cytotoxicity by amyloid-beta

Article Abstract:

It has been possible to identify a new caspase-12-mediated apoptosis pathway in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It seems that caspase-12 is required for apoptosis induced by a range of ER-directed pro-apoptosis signals. These include amyloid-beta neurotoxicity in cortical neurons. Caspase-12 is activated by ER stress, but not by membrane- or mitochondrial-targeted apoptotic signals. It is suggested that the human orthologue of caspase-12 could be a potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.

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Apoptosis in the nervous system

Article Abstract:

Apoptosis, or cell death, in the nervous system is discussed.

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