Dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT), multiinfarct dementia (MID) and dementia occurring in the course of Parkinson's disease (PD +D) now make up one of the largest categories of chronic diseases in the elderly. In addition to the burden those illnesses impose on the affected individuals and their families they consume large socio-economic re sources. In the light of all the above mentioned features, it seemed to us that a Symposium on behalf of the 125th Anniversary of Birth of Aloys Alzheimer was particularly well-suited to help to advance research on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias....

At the time when "Parkinson's Disease" is diagnosed in a patient, roughly two thirds of dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra are already degenerated. The onset of the disease must, therefore, be much earlier. This book deals with early diagnosis and early preventive treatment which may sustain the process underlying the disease. By use of psychometric, kinesiologic, physiologic, histologic, biochemical, endocrinologic, pharmacologic and imaging techniques, including positron-emission tomography and brain mapping, specialists tried to focus on new diagnostic criteria. New methods including...

This b00k reviews the recent advances in the research on Parkinson's disease. It contains review articles from basic to clinical researches including the historical introduction and the molecular biological approach to Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is the most representative, age-related neurodegenerative disease. It is clinically characterized by movement disorders such as muscle rigidity, akinesia and tremor. The elucidation of its biochemical and molecular mechanisms has rapidly been progressing and is expected to contribute to the understanding of normal brain aging in general....