Inflammatory processes in Alzheimer's disease.

Neuroinflammation is a characteristic of pathologically affected tissue in several neurodegenerative disorders. These changes are particularly observed in affected brain areas of Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases. They include an accumulation of large numbers of activated microglia and astrocytes as well as small numbers of T-cells, mostly adhering to postcapillary venules. Accompanying biochemical alterations include the appearance or up-regulation of numerous molecules characteristic of inflammation and free radical attack. Particularly important may be the complement proteins, acute phase reactants and inflammatory cytokines. These brain phenomena combined with epidemiological evidence of a protective effect of antiinflammatory agents suggest that such agents may have a role to play in treating the disease.