Epidemiological studies, modern clinical, neuroimaging, neuropsychological, molecular biological, and genetic studies have considerably enhanced our knowledge about ageing processes of the human brain, its sequelae, diagnostic, and therapeutic possibilities and limits. In addition to Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative dementias, the impact of cerebrovascular lesions and their risk factors in the pathogenesis of cognitive disorders of the aged are increasingly acknowledged, and the recognition of mild cognitive impairment as a frequent initial stage of developing dementia is becoming an increasingly important diagnostic and therapeutic problem. The included papers were presented at the 7th International Symposium in Graz, Sept. 2001 and give a timely overview of the current and future concepts of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies of pathological brain ageing and dementias, early recognition of mild cognitive impairment and future possiblities of prevention of dementing processes.

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Contents Jellinger, K. A.: Vascular-ischernic dementia: an Update ................................................................... l van Dijk, E. J., Prins, N. D., Vermeer, S. E., Koudstaal, P. J., Breteler, M. M. B.: Frequency of white matter lesions and silent lacunar infarets ............................................................25 Kapeller, P., Schmidt, R., Enzmger, Ch., Ropele, S., Fazekas, F.: CT and MRI rating of white matter changes ....................................................................................................................41 Schmidt, R., Fazekas, F., Enzinger, C., Ropele, S., Kapeller, P., Schmidt, H.: Risk factors and progression of small vessel disease-related cerebral abnormalities ...................................................................................................................................47 Schmidt, H., Fazekas, F., Schmidt, R.: Microangiopathy-related cerebral damage and angiotensinogen gene: from epidemiology to biology ................................................................ 53 Fazekas, F., Ropele, S., Schmidt, R.: Can small-vessel disease-related cerebral abnormalities be used as a Surrogate marker for vascular dementia trials?...........................................61 Perry, G., Nimomura, A., Cash, A. D., Taddeo, M. A., Hirai, K., Aliev, G, Avila, J., Wataya, T., Shimohama, S., Atwood, C. S., Smith, M. A.: Reactive oxygen: its sources and significance in Alzheimer disease ................................................................. 69 Arendt T.: Dysregulation of neuronal differentiation and cell cycle control in Alzheimer's disease ..........................................................................................................................77 Kienzl, E., Jellinger, K., Janetzky, B., Steindl, H., Bergmann, J.: A broader horizon of Alzheimer pathogenesis: ALZAS - an early serum biomarker? ......................................................87 Smith, G.: ls mild cognitive impairment bridging the gap between normal aging and Alzheimer's disease?.......................................................................................................................... 97 Fischer, P., Jungwirth, S., Krampla, W., Weissgram, S., Kirchmevr, W., Schreiber, W., Huber, K., Rainer, M., Tragl, K. H.: Vienna-Transdanube-Aging 'VITA': study design, recruitment strategies and level of participation .........................................................105 Airnkvist, 0., Axelman, K., Basun, H., Wahlund, L.-O., Lannfelt, L.: Conversion from preclinical to clinical stage of Alzheimer's disease as shown by decline of cognitive function in carriers of the Swedish APP-mutation ...........................................................117 Kurz, A., Riemenschneider, M., Drzezga, A., Lautenschlager, N.: The role of biological markers in the early and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease .............................................................................................................................................127 Schmitt, F. A., Cragar, D., Ashford, J. W., Reisberg, B., Ferris, S., Möbius, H.-J., Stöffler, A.: Measuring cognition in advanced Alzheimer's disease for clinical trials......................... 135 Windisch, M., Hutter-Paier, B., Schreiner, E.: Current drugs and future hopes in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease..................................................................................................... 149 Flores-Flores, C., Nissirn, A., Shochat, S., Soreq, H.: Development of human anti- body fragments directed towards synaptic acetylcholinesterase using a semi- synthetic phase display library........................................................................................................ 165 Giacobini, E.: Long-term stabilizing effect of cholinesterase inhibitors in the therapy of Alzheimer' disease