8.3.2 Alzheimer's Disease

• Hyperphosphorylated tau protein in neurofibrillary tangles stabilizes the cytoskeleton.

  False
• Neurofibrillary tangles are intracellular aggregates made up of hyperphosphorylated tau
• What is the composition of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease?

  β-amyloid proteins
• Neurofibrillary tangles are located extracellularly in neurons.

  False
• Steps in the formation of amyloid plaques

  1️⃣ APP is cleaved by β-secretase

  2️⃣ γ-secretase further cleaves APP

  3️⃣ β-amyloid proteins accumulate
• What effect do amyloid plaques have on neurons?

  Disrupt cell communication
• Memory loss in Alzheimer's disease includes difficulty retaining new information
• Cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease affects problem-solving and planning abilities.
• What mood and behavioral changes are common in Alzheimer's disease?

  Depression, anxiety, confusion
• What type of disorder is Alzheimer's disease?

  Neurodegenerative disorder
• Amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease are formed by the accumulation of β-amyloid proteins.
• Neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease primarily occurs in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.
• Match the feature with its occurrence in normal brain aging or Alzheimer's disease:

  Memory Loss ↔️ Occasional forgetfulness in normal brain aging

  Amyloid Plaques ↔️ Minimal in normal brain aging

  Cognitive Decline ↔️ Rapid and pervasive in Alzheimer's disease

  Neurofibrillary Tangles ↔️ Few in normal brain aging
• What protein forms neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease?

  Tau
• In Alzheimer's disease, cognitive decline is described as rapid and pervasive.
• Neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease is limited compared to normal brain aging.

  False
• What are the two main categories of risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease?

  Genetic and lifestyle
• Mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 cause familial Alzheimer's disease.
• The ApoE4 allele increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, while ApoE3 is neutral.
• Rank the lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer's disease in order of significance:

  1️⃣ Age

  2️⃣ Cardiovascular Health

  3️⃣ Head Injury

  4️⃣ Lack of Physical Activity
• What enzymes cleave APP to produce β-amyloid proteins?

  β-secretase and γ-secretase
• In healthy neurons, tau protein stabilizes microtubules.
• Neurofibrillary tangles are composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein.
• Order the sequence of events leading to the formation of amyloid plaques:

  1️⃣ APP is cleaved by β-secretase

  2️⃣ β-amyloid proteins are produced

  3️⃣ Amyloid plaques form between neurons
• Match the feature with its location in neurons:

  Amyloid Plaques ↔️ Extracellular

  Neurofibrillary Tangles ↔️ Intracellular
• Which genes are associated with familial Alzheimer's disease?

  APP, PSEN1, PSEN2
• Age is the greatest single lifestyle risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
• Cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
• What two enzymes are involved in the cleavage of APP to form β-amyloid proteins?

  β-secretase and γ-secretase
• Order the sequence of events leading to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles:

  1️⃣ Tau protein becomes hyperphosphorylated

  2️⃣ Tau detaches from microtubules

  3️⃣ Neurofibrillary tangles form within neurons
• What inflammatory response is triggered by amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease?

  Neuronal damage
• Match the stage of Alzheimer's disease with its primary characteristics:

  Early Stage ↔️ Short-term memory problems

  Mid Stage ↔️ Significant confusion

  Late Stage ↔️ Severe disorientation
• Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder
• What are amyloid plaques composed of in Alzheimer's disease?

  β-amyloid proteins
• Neurofibrillary tangles form inside neurons and consist of hyperphosphorylated tau protein.
• How do amyloid plaques differ in normal aging versus Alzheimer's disease?

  Minimal in normal aging
• Diagnostic steps for Alzheimer's disease

  1️⃣ Cognitive assessments

  2️⃣ Brain imaging techniques
• Which ApoE allele is associated with the highest risk of Alzheimer's disease?

  ApoE4
• Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease
• A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease.