Dementia is one of the leading causes of mortality across the world and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia contributing to 60-70% of the cases. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be over 130 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s which will put an immense pressure on the public and health systems. Currently there are no effective strategies to cure or slow down progression of Alzheimer’s, only to help patients manage symptoms. As the brain blood barrier prevents many potential therapeutic compounds reaching the brain, majority of studies employ intracranial or intrathecal injections which are invasive and costly. With Alzheimer's incidence rising, it is crucial to develop accessible and cost-effective treatments and diagnostic tools. For example, recent investigations using intranasal delivery could overcome limitations of oral route treatments. Current diagnostic tools such as brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid sampling are costly and invasive. Alternative testing such as retinal imaging is cost effective and less invasive and have shown promising results. Furthermore, retinal analysis can provide an insight into the state of cerebral vasculature and/or integrity of the neural networks.
The goal of this research topic is to provide a comprehensive overview of diagnostic and treatment strategies beyond the brain. We welcome submissions investigating how Alzheimer’s can be treated or diagnosed through vestibular, respiratory or ocular systems as well as investigations of basic mechanisms behind changes in these systems and basic mechanisms of treatments effectiveness. A wide range of articles is encouraged, including, but limiting to, Original Research, Systematic Review, Mini-Review, Clinical Trial, Perspective and more.
Dementia is one of the leading causes of mortality across the world and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia contributing to 60-70% of the cases. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be over 130 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s which will put an immense pressure on the public and health systems. Currently there are no effective strategies to cure or slow down progression of Alzheimer’s, only to help patients manage symptoms. As the brain blood barrier prevents many potential therapeutic compounds reaching the brain, majority of studies employ intracranial or intrathecal injections which are invasive and costly. With Alzheimer's incidence rising, it is crucial to develop accessible and cost-effective treatments and diagnostic tools. For example, recent investigations using intranasal delivery could overcome limitations of oral route treatments. Current diagnostic tools such as brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid sampling are costly and invasive. Alternative testing such as retinal imaging is cost effective and less invasive and have shown promising results. Furthermore, retinal analysis can provide an insight into the state of cerebral vasculature and/or integrity of the neural networks.
The goal of this research topic is to provide a comprehensive overview of diagnostic and treatment strategies beyond the brain. We welcome submissions investigating how Alzheimer’s can be treated or diagnosed through vestibular, respiratory or ocular systems as well as investigations of basic mechanisms behind changes in these systems and basic mechanisms of treatments effectiveness. A wide range of articles is encouraged, including, but limiting to, Original Research, Systematic Review, Mini-Review, Clinical Trial, Perspective and more.