A systemic view of Alzheimer disease — insights from amyloid-β metabolism beyond the brain

Abstract

The global burden of Alzheimer disease (AD), already the most common type of dementia, is expected to increase still further owing to population ageing. AD not only causes severe distress for patients and caregivers, but also results in a large economic burden on society. Current major challenges in AD include the lack of reliable biomarkers for its early diagnosis, as well as the lack of effective preventive strategies and treatments 1,2 . Thus, increased understanding of the molecular patho genesis of AD could lead to the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.AD is conventionally regarded as a CNS disorder. However, increasing experimental, epidemiological and clinical evidence has suggested that manifestations of AD extend beyond the brain. These systemic alterations might not be simply secondary effects of the cerebral degeneration seen in AD, but could reflect under lying processes linked to progression of the disease. AD pathogenesis is complex, involving abnormal amyloid-β (Aβ) metabolism, tau hyperphosphorylation, oxidative stress, reactive glial and microglial changes, and other pathological events. Given that Aβ is a major hallmark of AD and a fertile area of research in this disease, this Review focuses on the systemic role of Aβ in AD. We discuss the communication between peripheral and central pools of Aβ, and describe interactions between systemic abnormalities and AD pathogenesis in the brain. We review emerging findings of associations between systemic abnormalities and Aβ metabolism, and describe how these associations might interact with or reflect on the central pathways of Aβ production and clearance. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that interactions between the brain and the periphery might have a crucial role in the development and progression of AD. Aβ biogenesis and catabolismA steady accrual of data from laboratories and clinics is providing increasing support for the concept that an imbalance between the production and clearance of Aβ is a very early (and often initiating) factor in AD 3 . Normal metabolism of Aβ and maintenance of the homeostatic balance between Aβ production and clearance is, therefore, essential to maintain brain health. In fact, physiological metabolism of Aβ occurs not only in the brain but also in the periphery, and communication between these regions is possible (FIG. 1). Central and peripheral production of AβAβ is derived from the proteolytic cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is expressed not only in brain cells, including neurons, astrocytes and microglia, but also in peripheral organs and tissues, such as the Abstract | Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, and is currently incurable; existing treatments for AD produce only a modest amelioration of symptoms. Research into this disease has conventionally focused on the CNS. However, several peripheral and systemic abnormalities are now understood to be linked to AD, and our understanding of how these alterations contribute to AD is becom...

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