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Alzheimer’s disease basics: we all should know
S.K. Das. Neurological Research, 2025-07-10
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Neuroinflammation, mediated by activated microglia and astrocytes, exacerbates Aβ and tau pathology, contributing to synaptic loss and neuronal death. Genetic mutations alter APP processing and promote plaque formation. Monoclonal antibodies show promise in reducing Aβ burden and slowing cognitive decline: donanemab achieved 60% slower decline in mild cognitive impairment, while lecanemab showed 27% cognitive benefit in early AD. Aducanumab, despite initial promise, was discontinued in 2024 due to limited efficacy and safety concerns. Adverse events like amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), particularly in APOE-4 carriers, remain significant. AD pathology is multifactorial, involving an interplay between protein aggregation, immune dysregulation, and genetic risk. While mAb therapies mark progress in disease modification, their success depends on patient stratification, early intervention, and safety profiling. Future directions must emphasize combinatorial and personalized approaches incorporating early biomarkers, neuroimaging, and emerging technologies to effectively combat the rising global burden of AD.
Key findings
- Neuroinflammation, mediated by activated microglia and astrocytes, exacerbates Aβ and tau pathology, contributing to synaptic loss and neuronal death.
- Genetic mutations alter APP processing and promote plaque formation.
- Monoclonal antibodies show promise in reducing Aβ burden and slowing cognitive decline: donanemab achieved 60% slower decline in mild cognitive impairment, while lecanemab showed 27% cognitive benefit in early AD.
- Aducanumab, despite initial promise, was discontinued in 2024 due to limited efficacy and safety concerns.
- Adverse events like amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), particularly in APOE-4 carriers, remain significant.
Why it matters
This review states that monoclonal antibodies can reduce amyloid burden and slow cognitive decline, with donanemab and lecanemab showing benefit in early disease, while aducanumab was discontinued in 2024. It notes that adverse events such as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities remain a significant concern, especially in APOE-4 carriers.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 34/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neurological Research) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Neurological Research: journal h-index 108 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 13 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 4.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 7.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 13 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author S.K. Das: h-index 5 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Jawaharlal Nehru University: institution h-index 266 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40639927) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 34 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Das, S. (2025). Alzheimer’s disease basics: we all should know. Neurological Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616412.2025.2529560
Vancouver
Das S. Alzheimer’s disease basics: we all should know. Neurological Research. 2025. doi:10.1080/01616412.2025.2529560. PMID: 40639927.
BibTeX
@article{das2025-40639927,
author = {Das, S.K.},
title = {{Alzheimer’s disease basics: we all should know}},
journal = {Neurological Research},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1080/01616412.2025.2529560},
pmid = {40639927},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/01616412.2025.2529560}
}
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here. Showing 12 of 75.