Author:

Abstract:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a serious medical and socio-economic problem. Still unknown genetic or environmental risk factors initiate a cascade of events that feature the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Scientific progress in this field has been substantial but without any effect on the prevalence and the influence on the clinical course is limited. There is some epidemiological evidence that anti-inflammatory drugs, statins, antioxidative and other vitamins might lessen the risk of AD. The efficacy of these drugs with respect to the primary prevention of AD can only be demonstrated in interventional trials. Such trials will be difficult to perform due to methodological reasons. However, awaiting the results of these trials, the use of these drugs in order to prevent AD is not warranted.