Abstract
Most degenerative disorders of the central nervous system that lead to the development of dementia are not limited to brain damage. In the development of such pathological processes, a great role is given to systemic changes not only at the biochemical, but also at the molecular level. This creates certain difficulties in choosing effective prognostic markers that are most acceptable for assessing the risk of dementia. Back in 1998, this consensus was reached by the Alzheimer's Association, the working groups on molecular and biochemical markers of Alzheimer's disease at the Ronaid and Nancy Reagan Research Institute, and the National Institute on Aging. The resolution agreed that none of the systemic changes that are proposed as characteristic biological markers of dementia can be adopted for widespread use at this time. However, research has continued and to date there is a clear understanding that systemic changes also depend on the stage of the disease. Proponents of this hypothesis came to a conclusion based on discoveries made in the field of the pathophysiological role of neurotrophic factors in neurodegenerative diseases, in particular in Alzheimer's disease. This review article is devoted to the diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of neurotrophic factors.