Immunization Against Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders

by Dennis J. Selkoe (Editor)

Overview

Promising effects in mice of immunization by ß-amyloid stimulated substantial research efforts and high hopes. In retrospect, this study appears simultaneously logical, consistent as it is with the amyloid theory central today in the field of Alzheimer's disease studies, and paradoxical, because it involved using the toxic substance itself for a treatment benefit. The research thus begun opens up multiple perspectives for experimentation and for treatment. Clinical trials began, but had to be stopped in January 2002 because of serious side effects. The editors' objective for this book is not to arouse false hopes for a therapeutic project that must still be proven, but to discuss the available information and the questions it raises.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642639371
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	09/18/2011
Series:	Research and Perspectives in Alzheimer's Disease
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2003
Pages:	130
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.01(d)

Table of Contents

Immunologic and Tolerogenic Aspects of Amyloid Beta-Peptide: Implications for the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.- Towards Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.- Characterization of Amyloid Beta Vaccination Strategies in Mice.- Cognitive Characteristics of TgAPP CRND8 Mice Immunised with Beta Amyloid Peptide.- Intranasal A?-Vaccination as an Approach to Treating—-Amyloidosis.- Improvements in Intranasal Amyloid-? (A?) Immunization in Mice.- Antibody Therapy Against—-Amyloid to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease.- Effects of a Peripheral Anti-A? Antibody on Plasma and CNS A? Clearance.- Multiphoton Microscopy: Imaging Plaques and Reversal of Plaques a Transgenic Model by Multiphoton Microscopy.- Antibodies as Therapeutic Agents for Prion Disease.- Subject Inde.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Daniel B. Hier, MD (University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description: This is a brief yet detailed summary of a symposium held in Paris in March 2002 to examine recent studies of the usefulness of vaccine strategies to combat amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease.
Purpose: This is designed to be a state of current research review with up-to-date information on current use of animal models to look at passive and active immunization therapies to reduce amyloid deposition. Nearly all studies in the book use transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease based on accumulation of beta amyloid.
Audience: The primary audience is investigators interested in finding the etiology and cure for Alzheimer's disease. This book will be of interest to neurologists, neuroscientists, immunologists, and other basic scientists working in the area of either Alzheimer's disease or prion diseases.
Features: The book is made up of 10 scholarly articles. They are each well written and carefully referenced. Each has a nice summary paragraph that introduces the topic — these are not comprehensive reviews but rather research updates related to the area of investigation by each researcher. Topics covered include amyloid beta vaccination in mice, cognitive changes in mice immunized against amyloid beta, use of intranasal immunization strategies in mice, and immunization as treatment in models of prion disease.
Assessment: This is a valuable and current book that explores one of the most exciting leads towards a cure for Alzheimer's disease. The book does not address current human studies that have examined vaccines for Alzheimer's disease. The book addresses only in passing the halt of the recent human vaccine study that was marred by cases of encephalomyelitis. The quality of the research described here is very high and the book makes fascinating reading as it opens a window to a revolutionary neurological therapy.

Doody's Review Service