Aß and the dementia syndrome: Simple versus complex perspectives.
Eur J Clin Invest
; 48(12): e13025, 2018 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30246866
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The amyloid cascade hypothesis (ACH) has dominated strategy in dementia research for decades despite evidence of its limitations including known heterogeneity of the dementia syndrome in the population and the narrow focus on a single molecule - the amyloid beta protein (Aß) as causal for all Alzheimer-type dementia. Other hypotheses relevant to Aß are the presenilin (PS) hypothesis (PSH) relating to the involvement of PS in the generation of Aß, and the amyloid precursor protein (APP) matrix approach (AMA), relating to the complex and dynamic breakdown of APP, from which Aß derives. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
In this article we explore perspectives relating to complex disorders occurring mainly in older populations through a detailed case study of the role of Aß in AD.RESULTS:
Scrutiny of the evidence generated so far reveals and a lack of understanding of the wider APP proteolytic system and how narrow research into the dementia syndrome has been to date. Confounding factors add significant limitations to the understanding of the current evidence base.CONCLUSIONS:
A better characterisation of the entire APP proteolytic system in the human brain is urgently required to place Aß in its complex physiological context. From a molecular perspective, a combination of the alternative hypotheses, the PSH and the AMA may better describe the complexity of the APP proteolytic system leading to new therapeutic approaches. The reductionist approach is widespread throughout biomedical research and this example highlights how neglect of complexity can undermine investigations of complex disorders, particularly those arising in the oldest in our populations.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Peptídeos beta-Amiloides
/
Doença de Alzheimer
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Clin Invest
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido