The Amyloid Formation by Amyloid precursor protein and its role in Alzheimer's disease - Essay Example

y have been identified so far, with each disease having a characteristic and distinct clinico-pathological profile and each disease associated with aggregation of a specific single protein or peptide that is dominant (Chitti and Dobson, 2008). One such classical disease in which there is disordered accumulation of protein is Alzheimers disease and the protein that is accumulated is amyloid. In this essay, the role of amyloid in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease will be discussed with reference to its production, deposition, alteration, regulation, processing and trafficking, through review of suitable literature.

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a common degenerative disease of the brain that leads to dementia (Anderson, 2010). Infact, it is the most common cause of dementia and is incurable. The disease is an acquired condition in which there is impairment of cognition and behavior of the individual that is severe enough to disrupt normal occupational and social functioning of the individual. AD is a major public health problem associated with significant morbidity, impairment and economic consequences (Anderson, 2010).

More often than not, the disease is mainly diagnosed after 65 years of age, although, an early-onset variety of AD does exists which presents much early. According to Brookmeyer et al (2007), 1 in 85 people in the world are likely to suffer from AD by 2050. The course of the disease is different for different individuals and thus is the prognosis. The most common early symptom, which is often ignored as an aging feature or stress consequence is the lack of ability to acquire new memories. Other symptoms include changes in cognition and behavior of the individual like irritability, confusion, aggression, mood swings, breakdown in language, withdrawal and long term loss of memory.

As the age advances, various functions of the body are gradually lost, terminating in death. AD imposes severe burden on the caregivers and can influence various aspects of