Neuropathological Basis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis

Abstract

Great strides in the understanding of the neuropathologic basis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been achieved over the past century. An overview of the history, current understanding and recent advances in the neuropathologic basis of AD are highlighted in this chapter. Recent advances include the conceptualization and study of the preclinical phase of AD, mild cognitive impairment, mixed pathologies, and the specific roles of β-amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau protein, as well as other protein accumulations such as soluble amyloid and TDP-43. Furthermore, cerebrospinal fluid and imaging biomarkers in symptomatic and presymptomatic disease are emerging as exciting new tools for both clinical practice and research. These and other advances have led to the formation of new clinical criteria followed by new pathologic criteria for the diagnosis of AD. These advances are likely to have a profound impact on the direction of future research on the prevention and treatment of AD.