Paolo Zatta – författare

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating pathology of the central nervous system (CNS) of unknown etiology which represents the most common neurodegenerative disorder. AD is the major cause of senile dementia, affecting approximately 5% of the population over 70. This syndrome is characterized by loss of short-term memory and progressive impairment of intellectual functions. No established therapeutic strategy has been found so far.Until recently, much of the literature on AD discussed the effects of this syndrome on the CNS. In the last few years, however, a large amount of information has appeared which underscored the importance of studying AD from other perspectives with the view of identifying reliable biological markers. The amyloid precursor proteins (APPs), for instance, constitute a complex family of membrane-bound and soluble glycoproteins that are derived by alternative splicing of a gene on chromosome 21. In the hemopoietic system, APPs have been detected in a number of cell types, such as leukocytes, megakaryocytes and platelets. In addition plasma contains picomolar concentrations of APP isoforms most likely derived from platelets. Abnormalities were also detected in the electrophoretic profile of erythrocytic membranes from AD patients. Numerous abnormalities have been proposed as peripheral markers for AD and several laboratories around the world are deeply involved in this challenging research.This book provides up-to-date information, as review chapters, on non-neuronal cells, with the aim of stimulating the formulation of potential diagnostic-therapeutic strategies.

Aluminium is the most abundant metal ion in the biosphere and we are continuously exposed to it in our everyday life through food, beverages, pharmaceutical products, etc. This book is a current and comprehensive review of the biochemistry, metabolism and toxicity of aluminium undertaken by an international group of authors, many of whom are outstanding authorities in their respective fields. In contrast with previous books on this topic, much of the subject matter is unique, in that it is primarily directed at aluminium nutrition and toxicity in infants and children. This book covers many aspects of aluminium toxicity in infants including for instance the embryo-fetal as well as the neurodevelopmental effects of this element, contamination of pharmaceutical products, and individual sensitivity through vaccines using aluminium as an adjuvant.This book will be especially useful to paediatricians, paediatric nephrologists & neurologists, nutritionists, toxicologists, biochemical toxicologists and postgraduate students.

Numerous studies have established a clear connection between neuronal oxidative stress and several neurodegenerative diseases, with consequential damages to lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, etc. In addition, several modifications indicative of oxidative stress have been described in association with neurons, neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease, including advanced glycation end products and free carbonyl oxidation.Oxidative damage and antioxidant responses are now well characterized, but sources of damaging free radicals are yet to be fully understood. Evidences of alteration in metal ions metabolism have been reported in various diseases like Alzheimer's, Wilson, Menkes, Prion, Pick, Huntington disease, epilepsy and other pathological events. Thus, metal ions play a pivotal role in neurodegenerative phenomena.Chelation therapy is still in the early days of its development, but research in this area could lead to new products that could revolutionize treatment. Two international conferences on “Metals and the Brain: From Neurochemistry to Neurodegeneration” (Padova, Italy, 2000 and Fez, Morocco, 2002) were recently held to discuss the role of metal ions in neurophysiopathology. A third will be held in 2005 in Johannesburg, South Africa.This book follows the same train of thought as those conferences, in order to highlight the unquestionable importance of metal ions in the research on the neurophysiopathology of neurodegenerative diseases. The excellent reputation of the scientists who have contributed to this project ensures the quality of the chapters presented here, and hopefully this will help spur new research initiatives in the field, which is still in its infancy.