Editorial - A Milestone for Current Alzheimer Research [Hot Topic: Neurogenesis Catalyst Conference (Guest Editors: Howard M. Fillit & Gunnar Gouras) ]

Current Alzheimer Research enters the third year of successful publication with a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. All five issues of its second volume were completed and published on time, as promised. The second volume featured a total of 65 articles, a 100% jump from its previous volume. These articles, which are comprised of primary research and review work, were written by experts in the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and duly peerreviewed prior to publication. In total, this work was a contribution by researchers from 19 countries: Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK and the USA. The journal, hence, remains a truly international one - covering diverse aspects of research related to AD. The success of the journal has been recognized by its acceptance for listing in Pub- Med/MEDLINE databases. This constitutes a milestone event for Current Alzheimer Research. In addition to the print format, it is accessible via online (http://www.bentham.org/car/). Abstracts of the articles are freely available on the journal's website. Furthermore, the journal has expanded its Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) by including several renowned experts in the arena of neuroscience and AD. The key and important aspect of this journal concerns reporting a combination of mechanistic and translational studies that encompass a wide range of AD research, such as amyloid biology, apolipoprotein E, apoptosis, brain imaging, immunotherapy, genetics, statins and tauopathy. The journal has also reported studies from clinical drug trials. Interestingly, during the last single year, alone, the AD research field has burst with activity - as evident from the listing of approximately 4,000 papers on MEDLINE. Thus, the necessity of timely dissemination of this knowledge can never be greater. Current Alzheimer Research can expertly cover a fraction of primary research; however, the journal's 'review' articles provide a comprehensive overview of selected high interest topics and remain an invaluable resource for the AD field. In the third volume, with 5 different issues, Current Alzheimer Research plans to present a wide range of topics, as critical review articles or original research reports, which will address the molecular basis of the disease, potential drug targets, and therapeutic strategies for AD. The journal will present research from a combination of appropriate cellular, genetic, and in vivo models. In the 3rd volume, we also plan to publish special issues written by experts on different hot topics, such as apoptotic mechanisms in AD, as well as on the current understanding of AD therapeutics - based on the upcoming '9th International Geneva/Springfield Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer Therapy'. Our major goals in the 3rd volume are to continue to report cutting edge research on AD from biochemical, epidemiological and neuroscience studies, and to provide an insightful summary of important advances in AD research with an emphasis on potential drug development strategies. The 3rd volume (issue 1) begins with a special issue entitled, "Neurogenesis as a Therapeutic Strategy for Cognitive Aging and Alzheimer's Disease", and is ably edited by Gunnar Gouras and Howard Fillit. This issue contains 11 articles, which address one of the most interesting and relevant topics in the field of neurodegenerative disorders, neurogenesis, especially its role in the pathogenesis of AD and its potential utility as a valid target for the therapy of AD. In addition, this issue presents an interesting "Debate section" with three papers that both argue and present major novel hypotheses to explain the fundamental pathobiochemical events occurring in AD: i) the amyloid cascade hypothesis; ii) an alternative to the amyloid beta hypothesis; and iii) a faulty protein-turnover model. Further models, ideas and hypotheses will, additionally, be discussed in future issues to stimulate research and build the road to cure this scourge. On behalf of the Editorial Board and the Bentham Science Publishers, I deeply appreciate the enormous support received from the readers, authors, reviewers, sponsors and the neuroscience community. I truly believe that the journal will continue to make great progress with all of your invaluable support and patronage. I welcome your comments, advice, and suggestions to further improve this journal, and also solicit review papers, and original reports in the numerous diverse areas of AD research. It has been an exciting journey of knowledge to unlock the mysteries of Alzheimer's disease and I thank you all for both your company and contributions.