The factors that lead to onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease are still not well understood. Over recent decades there has been increasing evidence for altered metal homeostasis as a major factor in neuropathological and cognitive changes in Alzheimer's disease as well as several other major neurodegenerative illnesses. Early studies have shown a potential role for aluminium in neurodegeneration, and the role of iron in neuronal redox-associated toxicity is well known. Recent reports describe a role for copper and zinc in amyloid beta peptide expression, aggregation, and degradation. Importantly, the growing knowledge of how metal metabolism is altered in Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders is leading to the development of novel and exciting drug development strategies to improve the lives of Alzheimer's disease patients.

In this special issue we are seeking manuscripts covering a broad range of exciting and informative views on topics related to metals and Alzheimer's disease. These may include historical perspectives, the current status of novel research into the role of metals in neurodegeneration, identification of alternative metals that may be altered in Alzheimer's disease, development of new technologies for probing metals in Alzheimer's disease or neurodegeneration, or development of unique drug strategies to modulate metal homeostasis. The main topics include, but are not limited to:

• Historical perspectives on Metals and Alzheimer's disease or neurodegeneration
• Metals and amyloid
• Metals and neurotoxicity
• Metals and glia
• Therapies to modulate metal homeostasis
• Identification of new metals associated with Alzheimer's disease
• Advances in knowledge on copper, zinc, iron, or aluminium in Alzheimer's disease
• New techniques and tools to investigate the role of metals in neurodegeneration

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijad/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: