Dementia and cognitive disorders: New insights and approaches

This Special Issue of Mechanisms of Ageing and Development is based upon scientific contributions presented to the first Congress of Italian Society for the Study of Dementias and Cognitive Disorders (SIDeC), held in Milan on 21 and 22 May 2004. It also includes papers prepared by other groups, to complete a broader approach to the topic. TheSpecial Issue,liketheCongress, is aimedatdiscussingnew insightsonclinicalandpharmacological researchincognitivedisorders and dementia, with particular emphasis on early diagnosis of dementia disorders, identification of biological markers and perspective of different therapeutic approaches, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The Special Issue is dedicated to the memory of Virgilio Gallai, professor of neurology at the University of Perugia, who founded SIDeC and dedicated the latter part of his life to the creation of this dynamic, interdisciplinary society aimed at favouring scientific collaboration among researchers and other professionals involved in the field of dementias. Although some of the papers included within the Special Issue, such as those dealing with early diagnosis, fall outside the normal scope of Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, they have been included, with the agreement of the journal Editors, within this collection which aims at building translational links between basic and clinical sciences, in order to improve prevention and effective treatment in this most important area. We thank the more than 250 participants in the first SIDeC Congress for creating the background to a highly successful exchange of ideas and the authors of this Special Issue for their contributions to developing the debate further.