For more than 30 years, researchers have identified and quantified genetic and lifestyle factors for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other dementias. Despite extensive research, the fundamental mechanisms behind these neurodegenerative diseases are still not fully understood, and effective management of AD is taking longer than expected. There is a critical need for novel approaches to combat this longstanding disease.
A special supplement celebrating the 100th volume of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (JAD), published by IOS Press (now part of Sage), provides a unique and insightful overview of the state of the art in the field. Aging is associated with a gradual decline in cellular stability, leading to a decrease in overall health. In the brain, this process is closely linked with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including AD.
Understanding the mechanisms of brain aging is crucial for developing strategies aimed at enhancing both lifespan and health span. Recent advancements in geroscience, the study of the relationship between aging and age-related diseases, have begun to redefine our understanding of AD, guiding the development of preventive medical strategies that target the aging process itself rather than merely addressing the symptomatic manifestations of the disease. An editorial by Virginia Boccardi, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Division of Gerontology and Geriatrics, University of Perugia, Italy, and colleagues, presents the followi.
