The spatial patterns of β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Richard A. Armstrong*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputChapter

Abstract

The spatial patterns of β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) were studied in areas of the cerebral cortex in 16 patients with the late-onset, sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Diffuse, primitive, and classic Aβ deposits and NFT were aggregated into clusters; the clusters being regularly distributed parallel to the pia mater in many areas. In a significant proportion of regions, the sizes of the regularly distributed clusters approximated to those of the cells of origin of the cortico-cortical projections. The diffuse and primitive Aβ deposits exhibited a similar range of spatial patterns but the classic Aβ deposits occurred less frequently in large clusters >6400m. In addition, the NFT often occurred in larger regularly distributed clusters than the Aβ deposits. The location, size, and distribution of the clusters of Aβ deposits and NFT supports the hypothesis that AD is a 'disconnection syndrome' in which degeneration of specific cortico-cortical and cortico-hippocampal pathways results in synaptic disconnection and the formation of clusters of NFT and Aβ deposits.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAlzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatments
EditorsMarisa R. Boyd
PublisherNova science
Pages71-82
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-61122-586-0
ISBN (Print)978-1-61122-064-3
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2011

Publication series

NameNeurology - Laboratory and Clinical Research Developments
PublisherNova Science

Bibliographical note

Also available as an ebook

Keywords

  • β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Clustering
  • Cortico-cortical projections.
  • Neurofibrillary tangles (NFT)
  • Spatial patterns

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The spatial patterns of β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this