Introduction

This book presents a series of clinical and pathologic observations that are thought to contribute to progressive incremental severity in neuronal cell loss and tissue atrophy in the cerebral cortex. The book includes a critical reappraisal of lesions in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Common disorders such as cardiovascular disease appear to be prime inducing agents in neurodegenerative diseases. These observations should help researchers to reevaluate the investigative approach towards diseases of the central nervous system. The style follows the current text adopted by morphologists in terms that allow for further investigation by research workers. The text represents an attempt to generate a refreshing viewpoint of end stage CNS disorders that follow a long pre-clinical pathogenic course implicating common generically related and interacting etiologic agents. This book is meant to be a useful guide for researchers and clinicians interested in the development and treatment of CNS disorders.