Glycoxidative stress creates a vicious cycle of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease--a target for neuroprotective treatment strategies?

Accumulation of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) in the brain is a feature of ageing and degeneration, especially in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increased AGE levels explain many of the neuropathological and biochemical features of AD such as extensive protein crosslinking (beta-amyloid and MAP-tau), glial activation, oxidative stress and neuronal cell death. Oxidative stress and AGEs initiate a positive feedback loop, where normal age-related changes develop into a pathophysiological cascade. Combined intervention using antioxidants, anti-inflammatory drugs and AGE-inhibitors may be a promising neuroprotective strategy.