alzheimer's disease

Question 1

signs + symptoms

Answer 1

• memory loss
• confusion
• cognitive impairment

Question 2

What macroscopic differences do you notice b/w normal brain and brain from someone with Alzheimer’s disease?

Answer 2

• loss of brain tissue and mass
• presence of abnormal structures like plaques

Question 3

genetic causes of Alzheimer’s

Answer 3

• mutations in APP gene - abnormal forms of beta-amyloid
• mutations in PSEN1 - abnormal forms of beta-amyloid
• PSEN2 - mutations less common

Question 4

Which cellular adaptation is seen in Alzheimer’s disease? How does it occur at the cellular level?

Answer 4

beta amyloid plaque
* due to mutation in APP
* prooduction of beta-amyloid peptides
* they aggregate + form insoluble plaques outside neurons

neurofibrillary tangles
* abnormal aggregation of protein Tau
* tau imp for cellular structure + transport within neurons
* abnormalities —-> formation of tangles within neurons