Amyloid beta is a normal protein peptide in the human brain, but these particles are chemically “sticky” and gradually build up into plaques, or tough fibril-like structures called amyloid plaques in the brains of people developing Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away (degenerate) and die. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that disrupts a person's ability to function independently. The early signs of the disease may be forgetting recent events or conversations. As the disease progresses,... More. The small clumps may block cell-to-cell signaling at synapses. They may also activate immune system cells that trigger inflammation in the brain.
Because amyloid beta starts to accumulate in the brain decades before the onset of dementiaDementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia.... More, ADRC researchers see a window of opportunity to leverage lifestyle changes or new medications to intervene in this early disease process. Clinical trial efforts are underway, at sites such as the ADRC, to test the efficacy of drugs to remove or prevent amyloid beta buildup, and their potential to reduce or delay the onset of cognitive impairmentA diminished mental capacity, such as difficulty with short-term memory. Problems that affect how clearly a person thinks, learns new tasks, and remembers events that just happened or happened a long time ago. Problems that affect cognition. (See definition of cognition.)... More.