beta-amyloid plaque

Beta-amyloid plaques are clumps of protein fragments that build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. These fragments, called beta-amyloid, are normally produced and cleared away, but in Alzheimer's, they accumulate and stick together, forming sticky plaques. These plaques interfere with communication between nerve cells, disrupt cell function, and trigger inflammation, which can lead to cell death. The buildup of beta-amyloid plaques is a hallmark of Alzheimer's and is thought to play a key role in the cognitive decline associated with the disease.