Greer Murphy M.D., Ph.D.
Publication Details
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Cerebral Inflammation and Alzheimer's Dementia
In: Research Progress in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, vol. 2, edited by Miao-Kun Sun. 2007: 57-96
Cerebral inflammation is a prominent neuropathologic feature of Alzheimers disease (AD). A wide variety of markers for inflammation are present in AD brain, including activated glial cells, cytokines, complement proteins, oxidative changes, and others. We will review the evidence for inflammation in AD, and discuss data showing that inflammation has a harmful effect on neuronal function in animal models for AD. Results from clinical trials of anti-inflammatory medications for the treatment of AD will be reviewed. We will also discuss the prospect that the immune system can be harnessed to treat AD by amyloid beta immunization. Finally, we will examine some of the potentially beneficial effects of the cerebral inflammatory response in AD.
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