Oxidative stress leading to loss of critical proteases in Alzheimer's disease. An alternative view of the etiology of AD.

An alternative view of the etiology of Alzheimer's disease is suggested which focuses on the relationship between oxidative stress and the decrease in proteases seen in aging. Proteases act to govern the acceleration of the pathology of aging and, as damage from oxidative stress increases, the loss of proteases in at-risk persons leads to symptoms of AD. Controlling the damage to proteases or controlling the generator(s) of oxidative stress may help to control the onset or progression of Alzheimer's disease.