Biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases.

摘要

Age-associated neurodegenerative diseases are a major, heterogeneous group of diseases with mostly unpredictable and devastating outcomes. It is estimated that 120 million elderly people will be affected with dementia by the year 2050 (1). The disease picture may not be specific enough because several morbidities may overlap or co-occur. For example, patients with a history of stroke are at increased risk for developing dementia or depression. Over several decades, many risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases have been identified. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, an unbalanced diet, genetic factors (ApoE e4) or metabolic dysregulation, such as diabetes, hypercholestero-lemia and hyperhomocysteinemia are considered predictors of neurological diseases in elderly people.