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
: 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. 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 Amyloid protein plaques are hard, insoluble accumulations of
Once plaques establish themselves in the brain's cortex and hippocampus, they cause significant damage: How Plaques Form : In a healthy brain,
