Work

Diffuse plaques do not accentuate synapse loss in Alzheimer's disease.

Year: 1990

Type: article

Abstract: Applying the relatively new technique of laser confocal imaging, vibratome sections which were double immunolabeled for amyloid beta protein and the presynaptic terminal marker synaptophysin were examined. It was found that while synaptic density was generally diminished in Alzheimer's disease (AD) cortical neuropil as compared to controls, the reduction was no greater within the diffuse plaques than outside them. Synapse loss was accentuated, however, within immature and mature plaques. These findings suggest that the pathogenetic process in AD might commence with synapse loss and neurodegeneration rather than with deposition of amyloid beta protein.

Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)

Authors: E Masliah, R D Terry, M Mallory, M Alford, L A Hansen

Institution: University of California San Diego

Language: English

Topic: Alzheimer's disease research and treatments

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Aging

Awards: UCSD Alzheimer's Disease Research Center P50, STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE