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. 2009 Apr 2;3:27–44. doi: 10.2174/1874205X00903010027

Table 3.

Some of the Pathological Events that Take Place in AD

  • Abnormal hydrolysis of APP (β-secretase and γ-secretase) → βA production (βA40, βA42)

  • Fibrillogenesis: polymerization and formation of βA oligomers

  • Aggregation → final formation of neuritic plaques

  • Neurofibrillary degeneration: hyperphosphorylation of τ-protein → neurofibrillary tangles

  • Glutamate excess in synapses → excitotoxicity

  • Activation of microglia and presence of inflammatory proteins

  • Imbalance in intracellular ion homeostasis (calcium, copper, iron, zinc)

  • Oxidative stress → free radicals toxicity

  • Alterations of the mitochondrial membrane → failure of the cellular energetic system