[Alzheimer's disease: cellular and molecular aspects]

Bull Acad Natl Med. 2008 Feb;192(2):323-31; discussion 331-2.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaque in the brain. Both disorders must be present in order to confirm a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Neurofibrillary tangles contain hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau, while senile plaque contains a core of amyloidpeptide derived from its precursor. Phosphorylation of both amyloid precursor protein and tau represents a biochemical link between the two characteristic lesions of Alzheimer's disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism*
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Humans
  • Neurofibrillary Tangles / chemistry*
  • Neurofibrillary Tangles / pathology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Plaque, Amyloid / chemistry*
  • Plaque, Amyloid / pathology
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • tau Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • MAPT protein, human
  • tau Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • CDK5 protein, human
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3