This conference took place in Stockholm, Sweden, on 21 - 25 July, 2002. Listen to the speakers and view their presentations by clicking on the links below. Also read news reports related to the conference.

Presentations

• Kurt Jellinger: "Neuropathology of Alzheimer Disease and Clinical Relevance"
  Alzheimer disease (AD) morphologically shows extracellular deposition of Ab amyloid (Ab), paired helical filaments (hyperphosphorylated tau) in neurofibrillary tangles, neuropil threads, and dystrophic neurites. These of lesions showing a distinct sequence of spreading are associated with loss of cortical synapses and neurons causing disruption of neuronal circuits as major correlates of dementia and AD variants. Current diagnostic criteria are based on...Click here for more.

• Judes Poirier: "Apo E, Cholesterol Lowering Agents and HMG CoA Reductase in Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease"
  The discovery that the apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) allele is strongly linked to both sporadic and familial late onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) raises the possibility that a dysfunction of the lipid transport system could seriously affect lipid homeostasis in the brain of AD subjects. The presence of the 4 allele has been associated with lower levels of apoE in both serum and brain tissues in AD. Moreover, synaptic integrity and plasticity is markedly compromised... Click here for more.

• Philip Scheltens: "MRI in the Practical Evaluation of Dementia: ‘Beyond Exclusion’"
  This paper reviews the use of imaging techniques to aid in the clinical diagnosis of dementia. Two approaches are distinguished. The exclusionary approach is one in which imaging is used to rule out diseases that would mimic or cause dementia. Based on the literature this approach yields very little, if any, information that was not identified clinically. The more positive approach uses imaging as a diagnostic tool to identify changes specific for causes of dementia. Click here for more.

• Gunnar Gouras: "Subcellular Ab Accumulation and Origin of Plaques in Alzheimer’s Disease"
  We have been studying the generation and subcellular localization of Ab neurons by biochemical and immunocytochemical assays, and more recently have turned to immuno-gold electron microscopy (EM) to determine the more precise localization of Ab peptides and amyloid precursor protein (APP) within neurons of normal brain and to study the earliest site of Ab accumulation and neuropathology with aging in AD mouse models of b-amyloidosis. Click here for more.

• Bart DeStrooper: "The Presenilins"
  This presentation focuses on the cell biology of the presenilins. The role of presenilins in the cleavage of type I integral membrane proteins, the turn over of beta-catenin and possibly other functions in trafficking and Ca2+ signaling are discussed. Click here for more.

• Gal Bitan with David Teplow: "Biophysical Studies of the Initial Oligomerization Events in Amyloid b-protein Assembly"
  Soluble oligomers of the amyloid b-protein (Ab) are neurotoxic and have been shown to cause neuronal dysfunction in the absence of fibril formation. In particular, oligomers of Ab (1-42) have been implicated as neurotoxic effectors involved in early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Click here for more.

• Dennis Selkoe: "The Life Cycle of Ab: Production and Degradation"
  Although elevated levels of Ab occur universally in AD, only a minority of cases involves increased Ab production, primarily those with presenilin mutations. Click here for more.

  News Reports

  • Visualizing Amyloid Biggest Draw at Imaging Symposium in Stockholm, Consensus Sought on Validation
    
  • Chlamydia Triggers Amyloid Plaques in Mice
    
  • Clusterin (or Beware the Evil Chaperone!)
    
  • Aph-1 and Pen-2: New Names in the Presenilin Debate Complete the Complex
    
  • Separating Good from Bad Inflammation in AD: Complement Steps into Limelight
    
  • Larger Study Finds Protective Effect of Statin Use
    
  • Not All NSAIDs Are Equally Good When it Comes to Alzheimer’s
    
  • Gold in Them Thar Hills?
    
  • Educated Guessing Game: Which Genes Does “Other” APP Snippet Regulate?
    
  • Bad News Is Official: The Rofecoxib and Naproxen Clinical Trial Has Failed
    
  • Presenting a-T Catenin: A Long-Awaited Gene on Chromosome 10?
    
  • Liver Found to Degrade Ab
    
  • Could a Whiff of NAP Nip Brain Inflammation in the Bud?
    
  • There Is No Spatial Paradox!
    
  • The Presenilin Signaling Hub: A RIP-off or the Real Deal?
    
  • Degradation on the Rise
    
  • Pictures at an Exhibition
    
  • Core Resistance
    

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