Neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease: Is covalently crosslinked Aβ responsible?

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in the elderly, and is characterised by extracellular amyloid plaques composed of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). However, disease progression has been shown to correlate more closely with the level of soluble Aβ oligomers. Recent evidence suggests that these oligomers are covalently crosslinked, possibly due to the interaction of Aβ with redox-active metal ions. These findings offer new avenues for the treatment and prevention of disease, by modulating metal binding or preventing the formation of neurotoxic Aβ oligomers. © 2007 EBSA.