Oxidative stress, antioxidants, and Alzheimer disease.

Recent evidence in the field of Alzheimer disease research has highlighted the importance of oxidative processes in its pathogenesis. Examination of cellular changes shows that oxidative stress is an event that precedes the appearance of neurofibrillary tangles, one of the hallmark pathologies of the disease. Although it is still unclear what the initial source of the oxidative stress is in Alzheimer disease, it is likely that the process is highly dependent on the presence of redox-active transition metals, such as iron and copper. Because of the proximal role that oxidative stress mechanisms seem to play in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease, further investigation in this realm may lead to novel therapeutic strategies.