. Add Alzheimer's disease to the list of autoimmune diseases. Med Hypotheses. 2005;64(3):458-63. PubMed.

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  1. We should be cautious in how we classify AD. It is heterogenic, with more genes being discovered all the time to increase risk of developing this pathology or something similiar; there is also clinical overlap. Yes, AD shows autotoxicity, including increase in Ig in respective brain regions, cerebral encephalitis and dysfuntion in blood brain barrier. To state, however, in such a way that amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles do not independently (and quite effectively, I might add) destroy neurons and that AD should have the overall heading of autoimmune disease is both unscientific and premature.

    I must agree that an awry immune response targeting amyloid protein plays an integral role in cerebral dysfunction. And I am aware that the narrow view some immunologists take of signs of inflammation, i.e. heat, redness, swelling, and pain, need not apply here. I am convinced that amyloid beta oxidation of neurons requires not only immune responses such as nitric oxide free radicals and radical oxygen species to perform as an efficient killer of neurons. I welcome comments and any related AD information through email to redrobin0505@yahoo.com.

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