NEURITIC PLAQUES Meaning and
Definition
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Neuritic plaques are abnormal structures that form in the brain as a characteristic feature of certain neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease. These plaques consist of a dense accumulation of insoluble protein fragments called beta-amyloid. Beta-amyloid is derived from a larger protein called the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is normally present in the brain.
In healthy individuals, beta-amyloid is cleared away by the brain's waste removal system. However, in Alzheimer's disease, there is an imbalance between the production and clearance of beta-amyloid, leading to its abnormal accumulation and subsequent formation of neuritic plaques.
Neuritic plaques are typically found surrounding and damaging nerve cells (neurons) in specific regions of the brain associated with memory and cognition. Within these plaques, there are also activated immune cells, such as microglia, that contribute to the inflammatory response observed in Alzheimer's disease.
The presence of neuritic plaques is considered a hallmark pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease and plays a key role in the progression of the disease. The accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain disrupts neuronal function, impairs communication between cells, and ultimately leads to the degeneration and death of neurons.
While neuritic plaques are primarily associated with Alzheimer's disease, they can also be observed in other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Down syndrome and Parkinson's disease with dementia.
Common Misspellings for NEURITIC PLAQUES
- beuritic plaques
- meuritic plaques
- jeuritic plaques
- heuritic plaques
- nwuritic plaques
- nsuritic plaques
- nduritic plaques
- nruritic plaques
- n4uritic plaques
- n3uritic plaques
- neyritic plaques
- nehritic plaques
- nejritic plaques
- neiritic plaques
- ne8ritic plaques
- ne7ritic plaques
- neueitic plaques
- neuditic plaques
- neufitic plaques
- neutitic plaques
Etymology of NEURITIC PLAQUES
The word "neuritic plaques" is comprised of two main terms: "neuritic" and "plaques".
- Neuritic: The term "neuritic" is derived from the word "neuron", which comes from the Greek word "neuron" meaning "nerve". It refers to the basic building block of the nervous system, specifically a specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses. The suffix "-itic" means "pertaining to" or "inflammation of". So "neuritic" can be understood as "related to nerves" or "inflammation of nerves".
- Plaques: The term "plaque" comes from the Latin word "placa", meaning "plate". It was initially used in medicine to refer to localized formations or accumulations of various substances.
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