Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

The neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still only partly understood. Beyond doubt neuroinflammation plays a key role in pathophysiology of the disease. Still it has not been fully understood when and how inflammation arises in the course of AD. Whether inflammation is an underlying cause or a resulting condition in AD remains unresolved. Mounting evidence indicates that microglia activation contributes to neuronal damage in neurodegenerative diseases. However, also beneficial aspects of microglia activation have been identified. The purpose of this review is to highlight new insights into the detrimental and beneficial role of neuroinflammation in AD. In regard to this, we discuss the limitations and the advantages of anti-inflammatory treatment options and identify what future implications might result from this underlying neuroinflammation for AD therapy. Here we put a special focus on the therapy with COX-1 and COX-2 Inhibitors as well as anti-Aβ antibodies.