Which protein misfolding is associated with Alzheimer’s disease?

The protein misfolding that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease is beta-amyloid. In individuals with Alzheimer’s, beta-amyloid protein fragments accumulate and form plaques between nerve cells in the brain. These plaques are considered a hallmark of the disease and are thought to disrupt cell communication and trigger inflammatory responses, contributing to neuron damage and cognitive decline.

The formation of beta-amyloid plaques is indicative of a pathological process that is central to the development and progression of Alzheimer’s. Research has demonstrated that the aggregation of beta-amyloid is correlated with the severity of cognitive impairment seen in patients with the disease. This understanding is crucial for both diagnosis and for developing potential therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting beta-amyloid accumulation in the brain.

The other protein choices listed—leptin, insulin, and serotonin—do not have a known direct connection to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease in the same way that beta-amyloid does, making beta-amyloid the clearly relevant option in this context.