Biochemical Studies of Nerve Cells and Energy Metabolism in Alzheimer's Disease

Biochemical studies on autopsy and biopsy samples emphasize the importance of the well-established presynaptic cholinergic deficit in Alzheimer's disease and show that both pre- and post-synaptic components of serotonergic synapses are reduced. Major improvements in mental function could require the development of novel centrally acting cholinergic and serotonergic drugs. However, even if the appropriate impulse generations were achieved, suspected disease-related abnormality in some cortical neurons and mitochondria may remain uncorrected.