The Heterogeneous Nature of Cu2≻庭ꜭ誉 with Alzheimer’s Amyloid-β Peptide.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive and memory impairment. Within the brain, senile plaques, which comprise extracellular deposits of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), are the most common pathological feature of AD. A high concentration of Cu2 found within these plaques, which are also areas under oxidative stress. Laboratory work has shown that in vitro Aβ will react with Cu2 induce peptide aggregation and the production of reactive oxygen species. As such, this interaction offers a possible explanation for two of the defining pathological features observed in the AD brain: the presence of amyloid plaques, which consist largely of insoluble Aβ aggregates, and the abundant oxidative stress therein. Researchers have accordingly put forth the “metals hypothesis” of AD, which postulates that compounds designed to inhibit Cu2β interactions and redistribute Cu2馬 offer therapeutic potential for treating AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]