Fig. 1.

Schematic representation showing the formation of amyloid-β polypeptide from the APP precursor protein and the epitope specificities of plaque-specific (highlighted in red) versus plaque-protective (highlighted in green) anti-β-amyloid antibodies; (A) plaque-specific antibodies formed after active immunization are able to resolve the β-amyloid plaques in the brain of AD patients; (B) physiologic, plaque-protective Aβ autoantibodies prevent the accumulation of β-amyloid in the brain of healthy individuals.