FIG. 1.

AD is characterized pathologically by the presence of extracellular plaques that are rich in Aβ and intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein (NFTs). Aβ plaques cause neurodegeneration and excitotoxicity through their interactions with neurons at their cell body and synaptic terminals. The NFTs are the product of hypophosphorylated tau proteins that are necessary for microtubule integrity. Hypophorylated tau unbinds from microtubules, causing disintegration and lack of axonal support. Aβ, amyloid β-peptide; AD, Alzheimer disease; NFT, neurofibrillary tangle. [This figure was designed using software purchased from Biorender, and permission for use is given via Biorender]. Color images are available online.