Can Alzheimer disease be prevented by amyloid-β immunotherapy?

Amyloid-β (Aβ) has become an important therapeutic target in Alzheimer disease, and active and passive Aβ immunotherapies have been shown to reduce cerebral Aβ levels and improve cognition in animal models of this condition. Lemere and Masliah review these preclinical studies and provide an update on the current status of clinical trials of Aβ immunotherapies. They also outline the factors that must be considered in the future development of such treatments.