The neuronal cytoskeleton is a complex structure responsive to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Defined populations of neurons in the brains of patients with Alzheimer and several other neurodegenerative diseases contain abnormal filamentous accumulations which share elements with the cytoskeleton. Although there is a general consensus that these abnormal filaments do contain cytoskeletal elements, much debate remains regarding which cytoskeletal elements are incorporated and whether the cytoskeletal rearrangement is primary or secondary to other cellular changes. In this book these questions are addressed in a historical perspect­ ive in light of new data that allows the reinterpretation of previously reported results. Contributions are based on many of the major tech­ niques of modern biology including biochemistry, molecular biology, electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. In the view of the editor, this volume is being written at a time when our understanding of the cytopathology of Alzheimer disease is moving from predominantly descriptive to both analytical and mechanistic. I hope that this contribution will provide impetus to speed this transi­ tion. George Perry Cleveland, Ohio vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The support of the Fidia Pharmaceutic Corporation for the computer­ generated color figure on page 65 is gratefully acknowledged.

Springer Book Archives

Neurofilaments: A Review and Update.- The Phosphorylation of the Microtubule-associated Tau Proteins.- Human Amyloidosis and In Vitro Formation of Alzheimer Amyloid Fibrils.- Cloning of Neurofibrillary Tangle-related Genes.- Ubiquitin in Alzheimer and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases.- Neuronal Fibrillar Cytoskeleton and Endomembrane System Organization in Alzheimer's Disease.- Transformation of the Neurofilamentous Network Components into PHF-like Strands and PHF Paracrystals.- Intraneuronal and Extracellular Filaments in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease.- Alterations of the Neuronal Cytoskeleton in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Conditions.- Alterations of the Neurofilament-microtubule Network in Alzheimer Disease And Other Neurodegenerative Disorders.- Immunochemical Studies of the Relationship Between the Neuronal Cytoskeleton and Neurofibrillary Tangles.- Monoclonal Antibodies Show Cross-reactivity of Alzheimer Neurofibrillary Tangles and Heat-stable Microtubule-associated Proteins.- An Immunocytochemical Comparative Analysis of Tau in Neurodegenerative Diseases.- Cytoskeletal Abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease.- Microfilament Involvement in Hirano Body Formation.- Contributors.