This page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, an undergraduate capstone course at The University of Wisconsin - Madison.
What is Alzheimer's?Alzheimer's disease is the degeneration of the cerebral cortex. Over 5 million Americans [1] are currently living with Alzheimer's and more than 44 million [2] people worldwide. The disease has killed more individuals than breast and prostate cancer combined. It is a progressive disease that results in loss of memory, language, recognition, and motor skills. Many advances on the understanding of the effects of Alzheimer's on the brain but little is known on how to effectively treat the disease.
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Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)
APP is an integral membrane protein regulates enzyme activity in neuronal synapses [5]. When translating the gene APP into protein, alternative splicing generates different versions, or isoforms of the molecule. Although APP is found in healthy neuron activity, different isoforms of the protein are associated with AD [6]. Under normal conditions, alpha secretase cleaves APP into the extracelluar space outside the neuron. Mutated APP increases the levels of beta-secretase, which cleaves APP into a small fragment known as beta amyloid (Aβ) plaque. As the levels of Aβ increase, they cluster into large oligomers, which in-turn continue to clump into insoluble fibrils that prevent regular neuron communication between neuron axons and synapses.
Alzheimer's Symptoms [6]
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The Future of Alzheimer's
More than 5 million Americans are believed to currently suffer from Alzheimer's Disease and by 2050 that number is expected to increase to an estimated 14 million Americans [7]. Researchers aim to understand more about the relationship between APP and synapse function. Their efforts will further clinical studies to help prevent or reduce inflammation in the brain caused by Aβ plaque.
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Resources
References
[1] Alzheimer’s Association. 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.
[2] Alzheimers.net. 2016 Alzheimer's Statistics.
[3] Alzheimers.net. What You Need to Know About Familial Alzheimer's.
[4] Alz Forum. What is Early Onset Familial AD.
[5] Matsui T, et al. Expression of APP pathway mRNAs and proteins in Alzheimer's disease. Brain Research. 1161: 116–23.
[6] Dementia. Pathophysiology. Alzheimer's Disease.
[7] Bright Focus Foundation. Alzheimer's Disease Research Program.
Images:
Background: http://wallpaperswide.com/neuron-wallpapers.html
Mother and Daughter: http://dr-shelley-binkley-md.com/depression
APP Cleavage: http://cognitivedisorders.weebly.com/pathophysiology.html
Alzheimer's Symptoms: http://www.preventad.com/ad_symptom.html
Videos:
Mechanisms and Secrets of Alzheimer's Disease: exploring the brain
Alzheimer's Facts and Figures 2016
[1] Alzheimer’s Association. 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.
[2] Alzheimers.net. 2016 Alzheimer's Statistics.
[3] Alzheimers.net. What You Need to Know About Familial Alzheimer's.
[4] Alz Forum. What is Early Onset Familial AD.
[5] Matsui T, et al. Expression of APP pathway mRNAs and proteins in Alzheimer's disease. Brain Research. 1161: 116–23.
[6] Dementia. Pathophysiology. Alzheimer's Disease.
[7] Bright Focus Foundation. Alzheimer's Disease Research Program.
Images:
Background: http://wallpaperswide.com/neuron-wallpapers.html
Mother and Daughter: http://dr-shelley-binkley-md.com/depression
APP Cleavage: http://cognitivedisorders.weebly.com/pathophysiology.html
Alzheimer's Symptoms: http://www.preventad.com/ad_symptom.html
Videos:
Mechanisms and Secrets of Alzheimer's Disease: exploring the brain
Alzheimer's Facts and Figures 2016