Alzheimer’s Disease Neuropathology and Epidemiology

The leading cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a debilitating and progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss. It is histopathologically characterized by region-specific deposition of amyloid-β plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Neuronal loss and brain atrophy occur in the hippocampus, a region associated with memory. There is no cure for AD so further research is required to identify therapeutic targets that could slow down or prevent disease.

This poster provides an overview of some of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of AD, including: the genetics of early- and late-onset AD; the various roles of microglia; complement proteins and the immune system; and current and emerging therapeutic targets.