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Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Visualization of Amyloid β Deposits in the Human Brain with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 7, 2019
Physiologic origins of age-related beta-amyloid deposition
1Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Ariz. 85351, USA. thomas.beach@sunhealth.org
Background:
Brain beta-amyloid (Abeta) deposition is an extremely common accompaniment of aging in humans and many other mammalian species. We hypothesized that normal physiological changes of aging cause Abeta deposition.
Objective:
Three normal physiological aging changes were induced in young adult rabbits to determine their effects on brain Abeta concentrations and deposition. The three changes were cortical cholinergic deafferentation, hypercholesterolemia and estrogen deprivation.
Methods:
Cortical cholinergic deafferentation was achieved through intracerebroventricular immunotoxin injection. Hypercholesterolemia was induced with a 2% cholesterol diet. Estrogen deprivation was modeled with ovariectomy.
Results:
Cortical cholinergic deafferentation resulted in an 8-fold increase in cortical Abeta(42) concentrations and cerebrovascular Abeta deposition. Hypercholesterolemia increased cortical Abeta(42) 4.6-fold while ovariectomy increased cortical Abeta(42) 1.6-fold.
Conclusion:
At least three physiological changes of normal aging may underlie age-related brain Abeta accumulation and Alzheimer's disease.
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