Beta-amyloid plaques

Beta-amyloid plaques are abnormal clusters of protein fragments that form in the brain, particularly associated with Alzheimer’s disease. These fragments, called beta-amyloid, are usually broken down and cleared away by the brain's natural processes. However, in Alzheimer’s, they accumulate and stick together, creating sticky plaques between neurons. This buildup disrupts communication between brain cells, leading to cognitive decline, memory loss, and impaired functions. The presence of these plaques is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s and is thought to contribute to the disease's progression, although their exact role is still being studied.