The aim of Early Markers in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases is to provide the reader with updated data on various approaches whose investigation and development could contribute to the discovery of early diag- nostic markers of these two degenerative diseases. Concerning Parkinson's disease, some of the topics dealt with in the book will help update the information previously reported in Early Diagnosis and Preventive Therapy in Parkinson's Disease. Concerning Alzheimer's disease, the scope and limitations of electrophysiological and brain imaging techniques with regards to early detection of the disease are documented. Various biochemical parameters, such as brain energy metabolism, levels of choline, and platelet monoamine oxidase activity are envisaged as some of the starting points for the discovery of early diagnostic markers of Alzheimer's disease.

The aim of Early Markers in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases is to provide the reader with updated data on various approaches whose investigation and development could contribute to the discovery of early diag- nostic markers of these two degenerative diseases. Concerning Parkinson's disease, some of the topics dealt with in the book will help update the information previously reported in Early Diagnosis and Preventive Therapy in Parkinson's Disease. Concerning Alzheimer's disease, the scope and limitations of electrophysiological and brain imaging techniques with regards to early detection of the disease are documented. Various biochemical parameters, such as brain energy metabolism, levels of choline, and platelet monoamine oxidase activity are envisaged as some of the starting points for the discovery of early diagnostic markers of Alzheimer's disease.

This issue is a dedicated supplement published in addition to the regular issues of 'Neurodegenerative Diseases' containing congress abstracts. 'Neurodegenerative Diseases' is a well-respected, international peer-reviewed journal in Neurology. Supplement issues are included in the subscription.

There are increasing lines of evidence showing that neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not limited to the brain but also occurs in the retina. Consequently, AD/PD patients can gradually develop vision problems. This neurological and ophthalmological disorder creates a pressing need for developing therapy to treat vision impairment in AD/PD. On the other hand, pathophysiological changes in the retina may reflect what might happen in the same diseases in the brain. Thus retinal studies may allow us to develop quantifiable measures for the diagnosis and prognosis of disease progression. Furthermore, parallel or early pathophysiological changes of the retina in AD/PD allow us to study retina-brain interactions.