β-Amyloid oligomers and their role in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

摘要

βAmyloid(Aβ) is a 40-42 residue peptide, derived from a larger precursor protein (APP), thought to be causative in Alzheimer's Disease. It aggregates and deposits in the form of insoluble plaques in brain, but it is realized that soluble oligomers of Aβ block synapse function and plasticity. Synthetic methods to produce olgomers and therapeutic inhibitors of oligomer formation have been investigated.