Book Review: Drug Discovery and Development for Alzheimer's Disease 2000

The mystery of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) appears to unravel in front of our eyes. Pathogenic mechanisms for AD have been explained, animal models have been created, target drugs that work in vitro and in transgenic animal models have been developed. Still, in humans, the implacable neurodegenerative process continues undisturbed, with a clocklike exactness. We have been unable so far to treat the disease other than symptomatically or delay the milestones such as institutionalization or loss of activities of daily living. However, Howard Fillit and Alan O’Connell embark on the difficult task of collecting data about currently known pathogenetic chains that can be targeted by therapeutic intervention. In a way, the quest for prevention and cure for AD is similar to the quest for immortality of the crusaders and King Arthur’s knights. The 29 chapters of the book are hypothetical 29 “sweet spots” where we could potentially hit this many-headed monster known as AD.