Progress in deciphering the fundamental biological mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is proceeding at an impressive pace. A consensus has emerged among many investigators that cerebral accumulation of the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) represents an early and necessary step in pathogenesis and is therefore worthy of therapeutic attack. Indeed, the past few months have witnessed the initiation of the first human trials of compounds specifically designed to interfere with Aβ accumulation in the brain and thereby potentially slow or even prevent the disease. But such efforts need to be accompanied by sensitive and accurate methods to diagnose the disease, preferably before the beginning of significant clinical impairment, and to monitor its progression in quantitative fashion.
https://www.nature.com/articles/nbt0800_823
Imaging Alzheimer’s amyloid
