Vision for the future

Conclusion

Over many years, investigators have more accurately defined MCI and early AD, developed diagnostic approaches and clarified the character and stages of pathology and related the findings to clinical signs. They have greatly enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the biochemistry of Aβ plaques and tau-related pathology. Following leads from human autopsy studies and from investigations of in vitro and in vivo models, investigators are now on the threshold of implementing novel treatments based on an understanding of the neurobiology, neuropathology, biochemistry, and genetics of this illness. Moreover, a variety of tools, including amyloid imaging and measure of Aβ flux between compartments, are now available to assess efficacy of treatment. It is anticipated that exciting discoveries over the next few years will lead to the design of new mechanism-based therapies that can be tested in models, and that these approaches will be introduced into the clinic for the benefit of patients with this devastating illness.