Synonyms
Diffuse plaques; Neuritic plaques; Senile plaques
Definition
An aggregation of beta-amyloid protein found in the extracellular space between neurons in the brain. Amyloid plaques may be of diffuse, pre-amyloid type or neuritic, mature senile type. The latter is recognized as one of the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Mature amyloid plaques are spherical in shape and consist of a central beta-amyloid core, fibrillary outward extensions, and surrounding dystrophic neurites (elements of degenerating neurons). Unlike the mature, senile plaques, diffuse plaques have an amorphous, irregular shape and lack the surrounding neurites (Serrano-Pozo et al. 2011).
Current Knowledge
It is unknown if the diffuse plaques later form into senile plaques. Both plaque types contain the amyloid β protein (Aβ), a portion of a larger neuronal transmembrane protein of unknown function. Other differences between senile and diffuse plaques include the constituent Aβ protein and...
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Vernon, E.K., Tschanz, J. (2018). Amyloid Plaques. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_490
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_490
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