Alzheimer's disease (AD)

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressively developing neurodegenerative disease and the most common type of dementia (approximately 60%-80% of all dementia cases) [1]. Its core features are progressive decline in cognitive functions (such as memory, thinking, language), as well as changes in behavior and personality, which ultimately lead to the loss of the ability to live independently. Existing studies have shown that the occurrence of AD is the result of the interaction of multiple factors such as abnormal protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, genetic factors, etc. [2].

Aβ is a short peptide produced by the cleavage of two proteases, β-secretase and γ-secretase, from "amyloid precursor protein (APP)". In patients with AD, there is an imbalance in Aβ production and clearance – which may result in excessive production and aggregation of Aβ due to mutations in the APP gene (e.g., APP mutations in early-onset AD) or decreased clearance efficiency (e.g., APOE ε4 gene effects). These aggregates can directly damage synapses (the "junction points" that transmit signals between neurons), leading to synaptic dysfunction or even loss (synaptic loss is directly related to memory loss); disrupt the stability of neuronal cell membranes, induce abnormal calcium influx, and interfere with nerve signal transmission; activate microglia ("immune cells" in the brain) and trigger chronic inflammation [3].

Normal tau protein is a "microtubule stabilizer" in neurons - microtubules are the "transport tracks" within neurons responsible for transporting nutrients and signaling molecules, and tau protein maintains its structural stability by binding to microtubules to ensure smooth transportation. In AD patients, tau protein undergoes "hyperphosphorylation," causing it to detach from the microtubules and lose its ability to stabilize the microtubules. Detached tau proteins become entangled with each other, forming "neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)" that are deposited inside neurons. Microtubule structures disintegrate due to the loss of tau support, and the transport of substances within neurons is completely disrupted, eventually leading to neuronal failure and death. The distribution of NFTs was found to be highly correlated with the degree of cognitive decline in AD patients (e.g., more NFTs in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, worse memory and decision-making ability) [4].

Alzheimer's disease mechanism diagram

Alzheimer's Disease-Related Antibodies

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Flora Flora is a technical support expert at EnkiLife, familiar with immunology and neuroscience, dedicated to providing customers with high-quality product combinations and technical support to help achieve research in neurodegenerative diseases and other neuroscience areas.