The addendum lists articles from 1996 to June 1999. Pertinent information was selected and the data synthesized into a review format.
AD is a complex disorder and there are numerous factors involved in the process.
The pathology of AD is characterized by the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. In addition, more than 40 immunoprotective proteins that are not unique to AD are found at autopsy that are normally absent, or present in very low concentrations, in normal brain. These findings suggest that AD may involve an inflammatory process. These dose-finding studies should focus on specific agents and identify the dosage and duration of therapy necessary for a protective or therapeutic effect.