ABSTRACT
Alzheimer disease (AD) produces a profound alteration of the chemistry and structure of the central nervous system. These changes leave behind them distinct biochemical footprints. This chapter reviews the current status of immunochemical detection of Alzheimer disease. It begins by describing the basics of immunochemical detection: the terminology used in immunology and the methods used in antibody generation and detection. The chapter reviews the antibodies that have been developed, the antigens detected and their relevance to the development of clinically useful tests. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of these potential tests. The chapter outlines future directions for immunochemical detection of AD. Every immunologic test requires a target molecule, which the antibody will detect. This target molecule, such as ß-hCG in the pregnancy test, is termed the antigen. Individual antibodies can be isolated from an immunized animal by a method relying on transforming individual antibody producing cells from that animal so that they can proliferate indefinitely.
