Alzheimer's Disease Flashcards
What does dementia consist of?
Decline in memory, concentration, judgement
What are the 4 main pathologies of AD?
Brain atrophy - neuronal death
Extracellular AB plaques
Intracellular neurofibrillary tau tangles
Neuroinflammation
Name the 2 amyloid precursor protein cleavage pathways
Amyloidogenic
Non-amyloidogenic
What is the product of the non-amyloidogenic APP pathway and which enzymes are involved?
P3
Alpha- then gamma-secretase
What is the product of the amyloidogenic APP pathway and which enzymes are involved?
AB - multiple different length peptides - different aggregation likelihoods
Beta- then gamma-secretase
Which AB peptide is most likely to aggregate?
AB42
What is the name of the staging method for AB pathology?
Thal phases
Name the Thal phases and which brain areas they involve
1 - neocortex
2 - subcortical
3 - basal ganglia
4+5 - brainstem and cerebellum
Does AB level or distribution correlate with AD symptom severity?
No
What is the physiological role of tau?
Binds microtubules - stabilises
What is the effect of tau phosphorylation?
Favours dissociation from microtubules
How is tau altered in AD?
Hyperphoshorylated
Aggregates - forms paired helical neurofibrillary tangles
Does tau level or distribution correlate with AD symptom severity?
Yes
Name the Braak phases and which brain areas they involve
I-II - medial temporal lobe
III-IV - limbic system
V-VI - neocortex
What is the name of the staging method for tau pathology?
Braak stages