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Role of infection in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: implications for treatment

Role of infection in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: implications for treatment
Role of infection in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: implications for treatment
While our understanding of the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease continues to grow, its pathogenesis remains a subject of intense debate. Genetic mutations contribute to a minority of early-onset autosomal dominant cases, but most cases are of either late-onset familial or sporadic form. CNS infections, most notably herpes simplex virus type 1, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and several types of spirochetes, have been previously suggested as possible aetiological agents in the development of sporadic Alzheimer's disease but with little consistent evidence. However, peripheral infections may have a role to play in accelerating neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease by activating already primed microglial cells within the CNS. Potential pharmacological interventions could aim at modification of this peripheral inflammatory response through targeting various agents involved in this inflammatory pathway. However, benefit could also be gained clinically through the meticulous detection, treatment and prevention of infections in individuals either alone or in combination with anti-inflammatory therapy.
1172-7047
993-1002
Holmes, Clive
ada5abf3-8459-4cf7-be40-3f4e9391cc96
Cotterell, Darren
38a4913a-c818-4af6-bb8d-e890c5dd893b
Holmes, Clive
ada5abf3-8459-4cf7-be40-3f4e9391cc96
Cotterell, Darren
38a4913a-c818-4af6-bb8d-e890c5dd893b

Holmes, Clive and Cotterell, Darren (2009) Role of infection in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: implications for treatment. CNS drugs, 23 (12), 993-1002.

Record type: Article

Abstract

While our understanding of the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease continues to grow, its pathogenesis remains a subject of intense debate. Genetic mutations contribute to a minority of early-onset autosomal dominant cases, but most cases are of either late-onset familial or sporadic form. CNS infections, most notably herpes simplex virus type 1, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and several types of spirochetes, have been previously suggested as possible aetiological agents in the development of sporadic Alzheimer's disease but with little consistent evidence. However, peripheral infections may have a role to play in accelerating neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease by activating already primed microglial cells within the CNS. Potential pharmacological interventions could aim at modification of this peripheral inflammatory response through targeting various agents involved in this inflammatory pathway. However, benefit could also be gained clinically through the meticulous detection, treatment and prevention of infections in individuals either alone or in combination with anti-inflammatory therapy.

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More information

Published date: 1 December 2009

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 152269
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/152269
ISSN: 1172-7047
PURE UUID: 23c5d1a5-d28e-4dcc-931c-c48ca4aad998
ORCID for Clive Holmes: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-1999-6912

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Date deposited: 14 May 2010 09:29
Last modified: 08 Jan 2022 02:50

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Contributors

Author: Clive Holmes ORCID iD
Author: Darren Cotterell

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