Alzheimer's Flashcards
What is Alzheimer’s caused by?
Build-up of amyloid B peptide (forms plaques)
How is amyloid beta peptide produced?
Cleaved from the amyloid precursor protein (APP)
What is effect of these plaques?
Chemical signalling between nerve cells and electrical signalling within nerve cells goes wrong and is blocked
Normal communication between and within nerve cells is lost
Nerves malfunction and die if not continually stimulated
What causes first symptoms (loss of memory)?
Loss of part of brain dealing with memory –> HIPPOCAMPUS
How is the progression of Alzheimer’s assessed medically?
PET scan - glucose poorly metabolised as nerve cells degenerate
What drugs are currently used to relieve symptoms?
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- NMDA receptor antagonist
- Anti-psychotic drugs
What is APP?
An integral membrane protein with a transmembrane spanning domain
Where does the cleaving of APP into amyloid beta occur?
In cholesterol-rich lipid rafts
Other regions of membrane make amyloid-alpha which is harmless
How do statins affect Alzheimers?
Statins lower amyloid-beta production in cells and cholesterol content (hence affect fluidity of membrane)
Alzheimer’s prevalence 70% less in people taking statins
Can statins slow development in symptomatic Alzheimer’s patients?
No
What protein is involved in cholesterol transport and is more prevalent in Alzheimer’s patients?
Apolipoprotein E4
