Amyloid β-protein toxicity and oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of memory and progressive decline of cognitive abilities. Although the pathogenesis of this disease is not known and is still under intensive investigation, there are several hypotheses which address certain aspects of the disease. This review focuses on the oxidative-stress hypothesis of AD and on novel antioxidative approaches to an effective neuroprotection for the prevention and therapy of this neurodegenerative disorder. The toxicity of the AD-associated amyloid β-protein (Aβ), the induction of oxidative stress by Aβ in neurons, and potential sources of oxidative events in brain tissue are discussed. Received: 20 February 1997 / Accepted: 9 May 1997