La historia olvidada del alzhéimer: recordando a Oskar Fischer

Introducción: La Enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA), es una patología neurodegenerativa progresiva que afecta la memoria y otras funciones cognitivas. Hasta ahora no existen tratamientos curativos ni modificadores de la enfermedad, por lo que el manejo está centrado en la prevención y en el tratamiento de factores que puedan contribuir a su evolución; las herramientas farmacológicas son escasas y tienen efectos modestos en la ralentización de la enfermedad. Se propone realizar una breve biografía de Oskar Fischer, describir el conflicto con Alois Alzheimer que se identifica en documentos científicos y mencionar los principales elementos de la teoría de Oskar Fischer. Método: Se realizó una revisión narrativa en las bases de datos Scielo, PubMed y Lilacs, con los términos "Oskar Fischer" y se encontró quince artículos publicados entre 1906 a 2023, los cuales fueron resumidos por los autores GS y NR. El artículo fue posteriormente revisado por los demás autores. Resultados: Se organizaron en secciones, partiendo con una breve biografía del autor, su interacción con Alois Alzheimer y un resumen de su teoría; lo descrito por Oskar Fischer en términos de las estructuras de placas y ovillos se considera como una de las principales teorías fisiopatológicas de la EA. Conclusiones: Oskar Fisher hizo un aporte invaluable y planteó conceptos clásicos con respecto a la EA, que, si bien no le valieron para ser reconocido en la posteridad, han permitido que en las investigaciones posteriores sea de gran importancia repensar estos conceptos e incluir otras posibilidades e hipótesis, para continuar en la profundización del conocimiento de la enfermedad.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative pathology that affects memory and other cognitive functions. Until now, there are no curative or disease-modifying treatments, so management is focused on prevention and treatment of factors that may contribute to its evolution; pharmacological tools are scarce and have modest effects in slowing the disease. It is proposed to make a brief biography of Oskar Fischer, describe the conflict with Alois Alzheimer that is identified in scientific documents and mention the main elements of Oskar Fischer's theory. Method: A narrative review was carried out in the Scielo, PubMed and Lilacs databases, with the terms "Oskar Fischer" and fifteen articles published between 1906 and 2023 were found, which were summarized by the authors GS and NR. The article was subsequently reviewed by the other authors. Results: They were organized in sections, starting with a brief biography of the author, his interaction with Alois Alzheimer and a summary of his theory; what was described by Oskar Fischer in terms of the structures of plaques and tangles is considered one of the main pathophysiological theories of AD. Conclusions: Oskar Fisher made an invaluable contribution and raised classic concepts regarding AD, which, although they did not earn him recognition in posterity, have allowed subsequent research to be of great importance to rethink these concepts and include other possibilities and hypotheses, to continue deepening the knowledge of the disease.

The past, present and future of Alzheimer's disease - part 1: the past / O passado, presente e futuro da doença de Alzheimer - parte 1: o passado

Abstract Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) was described in 1907, and since then it changed from a relatively rare condition to one of the most prevalent diseases. Objective To describe the evolution of the notions of dementias and AD, and to investigate the reasons for the increase in scientific interest in AD. Methods A historical analysis was carried out on knowledge about dementia, the site of mental activity, the relationships between brain diseases and mental activity, and on the advances in research about AD, since its discovery until the publication of the amyloid cascade hypothesis in 1992. A search was carried out in the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) for scientific articles that included the terms dementia or AD over 50 years, from 1972 to 2021. Results The scientific research on AD increased from 615 papers with the term AD in the first decade (1972-1981), to 100,028 papers in the last decade (2012-2021): an increase of 162.6 times whereas publications with the term dementia increased 28.6 times in the same period. In the 1960s and 1970s, a consensus was reached that AD is responsible for the majority of cases of dementia previously known as senile dementia. In the 1980s, beta-amyloid peptide was identified in the core of the senile plaque, hyperphosphorylated tau protein was found in neurofibrillary tangles, and a mutation was discovered in a hereditary form of AD. Conclusion The expansion of the concept of AD to include senile dementia, and the discoveries that occurred in the 1980s greatly expanded research in AD.

Resumo Antecedentes A doença de Alzheimer (DA) foi descrita em 1907 e, desde então, deixou de ser relativamente rara para se tornar uma das doenças mais prevalentes. Objetivo Descrever a evolução das noções sobre demências e DA e investigar as razões do aumento do interesse científico pela DA. Métodos Foi realizada uma análise histórica dos conhecimentos sobre demência, o local da atividade mental, as relações entre doenças cerebrais e a atividade mental, e sobre os avanços na pesquisa sobre a DA, desde a sua descoberta até a publicação da hipótese da cascata amiloide em 1992. Foi realizada uma busca na Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina dos Estados Unidos da América (PubMed) por artigos científicos que incluíssem os termos demência ou DA nos 50 anos, de 1972 a 2021. Resultados A pesquisa científica sobre DA aumentou de 615 artigos com o termo doença de Alzheimer na primeira década (1972-1981), para 100.028 artigos na última década (2012-2021): um aumento de 162,6 vezes enquanto as publicações com o termo demência aumentaram 28,6 vezes no mesmo período. Nas décadas de 1960 e 1970, chegou-se a um consenso de que a DA é responsável pela maioria dos casos de demência, anteriormente conhecida como demência senil. Na década de 1980, o peptídeo beta-amiloide foi identificado no núcleo da placa senil, a proteína tau hiperfosforilada foi encontrada em emaranhados neurofibrilares e uma mutação foi descoberta em uma forma hereditária de DA. Conclusão A expansão do conceito de DA para incluir a demência senil e as descobertas ocorridas na década de 1980 ampliaram enormemente a pesquisa em DA.

Memorials of Alois Alzheimer (June 14, 1864~December 19, 1915) and Historical Background of Alzheimer's Disease

December 19, 1995 is the 80th anniversary of Alois Alzheimer's death. Recently, dementing illness including Alzheimer's disease has become the center of public interest in Korea. However, there are not much information about him or historical background of Alzheimer's disease. It is even misunderstanding. It seems to be meaningful to introduce the lifetime of the Alois Alzheimer and the historical background of Alzheimer's disease, especially in the anniversary of his death.