SENILE PLAQUES Meaning and
Definition
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Senile plaques are abnormal protein deposits that are commonly found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other neurodegenerative disorders. These plaques are one of the hallmarks of neurodegeneration and are formed by the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein fragments in the brain.
The brain contains a protein called amyloid precursor protein (APP) that is normally processed and broken down into smaller fragments. However, in Alzheimer's disease, this processing is altered, leading to the production of beta-amyloid peptides. These peptides have a tendency to clump together and form plaques, which disrupt the normal functioning of brain cells.
Senile plaques typically consist of a central core of beta-amyloid peptides surrounded by various other proteins, including inflammatory molecules. They are commonly found in regions of the brain involved in memory, learning, and cognitive functions.
The presence of senile plaques has been linked to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. They are thought to cause damage to nerve cells and contribute to the cognitive decline and memory loss commonly observed in affected individuals. Additionally, the accumulation of these plaques is often accompanied by the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, composed of another protein called tau, which further disrupts neuronal function.
Research efforts aimed at understanding senile plaques and developing therapeutic interventions focus on reducing the production or enhancing the clearance of beta-amyloid peptides, as targeting senile plaque formation may offer potential avenues for treating Alzheimer's and related neurodegenerative diseases.
Common Misspellings for SENILE PLAQUES
- aenile plaques
- zenile plaques
- xenile plaques
- denile plaques
- eenile plaques
- wenile plaques
- swnile plaques
- ssnile plaques
- sdnile plaques
- srnile plaques
- s4nile plaques
- s3nile plaques
- sebile plaques
- semile plaques
- sejile plaques
- sehile plaques
- senule plaques
- senjle plaques
- senkle plaques
- senole plaques
Etymology of SENILE PLAQUES
The term "senile plaques" originates from the field of neuropathology, specifically in reference to Alzheimer's disease.
Etymologically, "senile" is derived from the Latin word "senilis", which means "pertaining to old age". The term was originally used to classify age-related conditions or characteristics.
"Plaques" in this context refers to the abnormal protein deposits that accumulate in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. These protein deposits are mainly composed of a substance called amyloid-beta.
Therefore, "senile plaques" essentially describes the characteristic protein deposits found in the brains of elderly individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease.
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