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Which brain cells are lost during the progression of Alzheimer disease?
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Alzheimer disease
Histopathologic image of neuritic plaques in the cerebral cortex in a patient with Alzheimer disease of presenile onset (onset before age 65).
During the progression of Alzheimer disease, there is a significant and progressive loss of neurons (nerve cells) and their associated neural connections, particularly within the cerebral cortex of the brain.12
This widespread destruction of nerve cells leads to a measurable decrease in overall brain size and weight. The loss of these cells is closely linked to the development of two primary tissue lesions:2
- Neuritic plaques: Deposits of deteriorating neuronal fragments surrounding a core of amyloid-beta protein.23
- Neurofibrillary tangles: Twisted fibers of the protein tau that accumulate within the neurons.23
As these cells are destroyed, the brain experiences a diminished capacity to synthesize essential neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, which are vital for memory and interneuronal communication.23