2 ms·

But are Amyloid-beta plaques a proven cause of Alzheimer's? Or is it just correlation at this point?

• paulmd 11y ago
  If you inject amyloid-beta peptide extract from an AD-infected mouse into the brain of another, it then starts growing the usual plaques[1]. And A-beta plaque deposits are basically the distinguishing characteristic of Alzheimer's. So in my book that's very strong experimental evidence that A-beta is the causal mechanism of Alzheimer's and not merely a side effect. It seems to be basically a misfolded protein, like CJD or mad-cow. Usual caveats - nothing in science is ever proven to 100% certainty. Remove seal before use. Ask your doctor if Alzheimer's is right for you. [1] http://www.jneurosci.org/content/20/10/3606.full http://www.jneurosci.org/content/20/10/3606.full