System-IGF-1 Pathway and Alzheimer's Disease

AD is the most common cause of dementia. During aging, decline of biological brain functions due to a number of genetic and environmental factors facilitates the onset of AD. MCI includes prodromal AD. The identification of the risk factors for AD must be a priority in order to define the best therapeutic approach. Recent data support the notion that IGF-I pathway accounts for neuronal protection, with a dual effect, on both brain Aβ peptide and tau protein. This large, multicenter, prospective, observational, cross-sectional population-based study in 3 parallel groups (200 participants per group) is aimed to assess differences between IGF-I and IGFBP3 circulating levels and polymorphisms in AD patients and control elderly subjects, and in MCI patients.