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Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Critical Appraisal of the Causes and the Consequences

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Studies on Experimental Models

Abstract

Recent advances have shown oxidative damage as one of the hallmark characteristics in neurons in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Importantly, such damage is present at the very earliest stages of disease, including mild cognitive impairment, and persists throughout the course of the disease. Therefore, oxidative imbalance is likely important not only as an initiator of disease but may also contribute in propagating the disease process. One aspect of critical importance is developing treatments that target the source rather than the “collateral damage,” but of course this requires knowledge of the source. This review highlights the role of oxidative stress in AD with the aim of critically evaluating the role of oxidative stress as a cause or effect in the development of this disease. In doing so, we consider the sources of reactive oxidative species and their role in AD as well as how oxidative responses intertwine with the pathological hallmarks of the disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Gemma Casadesus

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  1. Jaewon Chang
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  2. Sandra Siedlak
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  3. Paula Moreira
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  4. Akihiko Nunomura
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  5. Rudy J. Castellani
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  6. Mark A. Smith
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  7. Xiongwei Zhu
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  8. George Perry
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  9. Gemma Casadesus
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Correspondence to Gemma Casadesus .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Health & Caring Sciences, University Uppsala, Döbelnsgatan 2, Uppsala, 752 37, Sweden

    Samar Basu

  2. Dept. Surgical Sciences, Anaesthesiology, & Intensive Care, Uppsala University Hospital, Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden

    Lars Wiklund

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Chang, J. et al. (2011). Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Critical Appraisal of the Causes and the Consequences. In: Basu, S., Wiklund, L. (eds) Studies on Experimental Models. Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-956-7_9

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