Genetic Variants in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimers Disease is the most common form of dementia. The disease is characterised by the loss of synapses and neurons in the cerebral cortex and certain subcortical regions. In the last three years, the genetics of Alzheimers Disease has made significant advances; in fact, one could argue more than in the previous two decades. This has resulted in the identification of nine new genes and perhaps more importantly the realization that new pathways could be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers. These new pathways are now legitimate targets for therapeutic intervention, which can possibly lead to treatment or a possible cure. The aim of this book is to put all of the recent genetic data on these new genes into context. Different genetic variants will be discussed, as well as biomarkers and future possibilities.