Neuropathology in Alzheimer's disease: target of pharmacotherapy.

The pathogenesis of AD is complex and not yet fully understood. A number of factors, including amyloid plaques, NFTs, and inflammatory processes, are likely to contribute to development of the disease. Acetylcholine and glutamate are intimately involved in learning and memory. Hypotheses implicating defects within both neurotransmitter systems in AI) are recognized. This knowledge coupled with ongoing discoveries about the multiple pathophysiologic pathways involved in development and progression of AD has given rise to several plausible therapeutic targets. Therapies addressing some of these targets (ie, acetylcholine, glutamate) have already shown clinical efficacy in treating AD while other targets continue to be investigated.