Physiological and pathological functions of beta-amyloid in the brain and alzheimer's disease: A review
Alzheimer's disease is a major health problem all over the world. The role of beta-amyloid (Aβ) is at the center of investigations trying to discover the disease pathogenesis and to develop drugs for treatment or prevention on Alzheimer's disease. This review summarizes both physiological...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Chinese Journal of Physiology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.cjphysiology.org/article.asp?issn=0304-4920;year=2020;volume=63;issue=3;spage=95;epage=100;aulast=Volicer |
| _version_ | 1818729263880208384 |
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| author | Ladislav Volicer |
| author_facet | Ladislav Volicer |
| author_sort | Ladislav Volicer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Alzheimer's disease is a major health problem all over the world. The role of beta-amyloid (Aβ) is at the center of investigations trying to discover the disease pathogenesis and to develop drugs for treatment or prevention on Alzheimer's disease. This review summarizes both physiological and pathological functions of Aβ and factors that may participate in the disease development. Known genetic factors are trisomy of chromosome 21, mutations of presenilin 1 and 2, and apolipoprotein E4. Lifetime stresses that increase the risk of development of Alzheimer's disease are described. Another important factor is the level of education, especially of linguistic ability. Lifestyle factors include mental and physical exercise, head injury, social contacts, and diet. All these factors might potentiate the effect of aging on the brain to increase the risk of development of pathological changes. The review summarizes pathological features of Alzheimer brain, Aβ plaques, neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau, and brain atrophy. Consequences of Alzheimer's disease that are reviewed include cognitive deficit, loss of function, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Because there is no effective treatment, many persons with Alzheimer's disease survive to severe and terminal stages which they may fear. Alzheimer's disease at this stage should be considered a terminal disease for which palliative care is indicated. Importance of advance directives, promoting previous wishes of the person who was developing dementia and who subsequently lost decision-making capacity, and limitations of these directives are discussed. Information in this review is based on author's knowledge and clinical experience that were updated by searches of PubMed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T22:43:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7a5b54cef9334066a91875ad5bbb779c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0304-4920 2666-0059 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T22:43:07Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Chinese Journal of Physiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-7a5b54cef9334066a91875ad5bbb779c2022-12-21T21:29:52ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsChinese Journal of Physiology0304-49202666-00592020-01-016339510010.4103/CJP.CJP_10_20Physiological and pathological functions of beta-amyloid in the brain and alzheimer's disease: A reviewLadislav VolicerAlzheimer's disease is a major health problem all over the world. The role of beta-amyloid (Aβ) is at the center of investigations trying to discover the disease pathogenesis and to develop drugs for treatment or prevention on Alzheimer's disease. This review summarizes both physiological and pathological functions of Aβ and factors that may participate in the disease development. Known genetic factors are trisomy of chromosome 21, mutations of presenilin 1 and 2, and apolipoprotein E4. Lifetime stresses that increase the risk of development of Alzheimer's disease are described. Another important factor is the level of education, especially of linguistic ability. Lifestyle factors include mental and physical exercise, head injury, social contacts, and diet. All these factors might potentiate the effect of aging on the brain to increase the risk of development of pathological changes. The review summarizes pathological features of Alzheimer brain, Aβ plaques, neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau, and brain atrophy. Consequences of Alzheimer's disease that are reviewed include cognitive deficit, loss of function, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Because there is no effective treatment, many persons with Alzheimer's disease survive to severe and terminal stages which they may fear. Alzheimer's disease at this stage should be considered a terminal disease for which palliative care is indicated. Importance of advance directives, promoting previous wishes of the person who was developing dementia and who subsequently lost decision-making capacity, and limitations of these directives are discussed. Information in this review is based on author's knowledge and clinical experience that were updated by searches of PubMed.http://www.cjphysiology.org/article.asp?issn=0304-4920;year=2020;volume=63;issue=3;spage=95;epage=100;aulast=Voliceralzheimer's diseaseamyloidpalliative care |
| spellingShingle | Ladislav Volicer Physiological and pathological functions of beta-amyloid in the brain and alzheimer's disease: A review Chinese Journal of Physiology alzheimer's disease amyloid palliative care |
| title | Physiological and pathological functions of beta-amyloid in the brain and alzheimer's disease: A review |
| title_full | Physiological and pathological functions of beta-amyloid in the brain and alzheimer's disease: A review |
| title_fullStr | Physiological and pathological functions of beta-amyloid in the brain and alzheimer's disease: A review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physiological and pathological functions of beta-amyloid in the brain and alzheimer's disease: A review |
| title_short | Physiological and pathological functions of beta-amyloid in the brain and alzheimer's disease: A review |
| title_sort | physiological and pathological functions of beta amyloid in the brain and alzheimer s disease a review |
| topic | alzheimer's disease amyloid palliative care |
| url | http://www.cjphysiology.org/article.asp?issn=0304-4920;year=2020;volume=63;issue=3;spage=95;epage=100;aulast=Volicer |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ladislavvolicer physiologicalandpathologicalfunctionsofbetaamyloidinthebrainandalzheimersdiseaseareview |