Amyloid: Protein Plaque

Once plaques establish themselves in the brain's cortex and hippocampus, they cause significant damage:

: Enzymes called secretases (specifically β-secretase and γ-secretase) cut APP into smaller fragments. amyloid protein plaque

: These sticky fragments clump together, first forming small groups called oligomers, and eventually maturing into the large, dense deposits known as senile plaques . 2. Impact on Brain Function Once plaques establish themselves in the brain's cortex

Amyloid protein plaques are hard, insoluble accumulations of proteins that build up in the spaces between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Considered a primary hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) , these plaques disrupt critical cell-to-cell communication and trigger a cascade of neurodegeneration. 1. How Plaques Form Impact on Brain Function Amyloid protein plaques are

: In a healthy brain, these fragments are cleared away. In Alzheimer’s, an imbalance between protein production and clearance leads to an accumulation of Aβ42 , a particularly "sticky" form of the protein.

The process begins with the , a protein typically found in the membranes of neurons.