Wiltfang_2004_MMW.Fortschr.Med_146_38

Current medication procedures for Alzheimer's dementia (AD) such as inhibitors of acetyl cholinesterase or Memantine and future therapeutic approaches demand improved early diagnostics. However, the differentiation between early cognitive impairments due to primary progressive demential conditions and cognitive deficits in geriatric or depressive people is a great clinical challenge. The detection of biochemical markers such as beta-amyloid peptide and tau proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid can lead to improved diagnostics of the early stages and premonitory symptoms of AD. As a result, future preventive drug treatment strategies can be employed early and selectively.