Amyloid plaques
Amyloid Plaques
Amyloid plaques (pronunciation: /ˈæmɪˌlɔɪd ˈplæks/) are abnormal clusters of protein fragments that build up between nerve cells. They are a characteristic feature in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Etymology
The term "amyloid" comes from the Greek words "amylon" which means starch and "eidos" which means like, referring to the early observation of the substance's reaction to iodine, which was similar to starch. The term "plaque" is derived from the French word for "plate", describing the flat, plate-like shape of these deposits.
Description
Amyloid plaques are primarily composed of beta-amyloid peptide, a protein fragment snipped from an amyloid precursor protein (APP). In a healthy brain, these protein fragments would be broken down and eliminated. In Alzheimer's disease, the fragments accumulate to form hard, insoluble plaques.
Related Terms
- Alzheimer's disease: A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.
- Beta-amyloid peptide: A protein fragment snipped from an amyloid precursor protein (APP). In Alzheimer's disease, these fragments accumulate to form amyloid plaques.
- Neurofibrillary tangles: Another hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, these are twisted fibers found inside the brain's cells.
- Tau protein: A protein that stabilizes microtubules. It is abundant in neurons of the central nervous system and is often defective in neurodegenerative diseases.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Amyloid plaques
- Wikipedia's article - Amyloid plaques
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