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Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

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Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...

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Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Analysis of Microglia and Monocyte-derived Macrophages from the Central Nervous System by Flow Cytometry

Analysis of Microglia and Monocyte-derived Macrophages from the Central Nervous System by Flow Cytometry

Published on: June 22, 2017

Monocytes and Alzheimer's disease.

Yu Feng¹, Lei Li, Xiao-Hong Sun

¹Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China. fengyu_1976@163.com

Neuroscience Bulletin

|March 29, 2011

Summary

Monocytes, part of the immune system, may play a dual role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). While they can clear amyloid beta (Aβ), their effectiveness in AD patients is limited, impacting disease progression.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Immunology
Pathology

Background:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Monocytes are immune cells involved in clearing cellular debris.
Aβ may recruit monocytes to the brain in AD models, potentially restricting amyloidosis.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current understanding of monocytes in Alzheimer's disease.
To explore the dual role of monocytes in AD pathogenesis.
To discuss the implications of monocyte function in AD.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on monocytes and AD.
Analysis of research on monocyte recruitment and function in AD models.
Examination of evidence regarding Aβ phagocytosis by monocytes in AD patients.

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Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling (q3DISM) of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease

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Published on: December 26, 2016

Quantification of Monocyte Transmigration and Foam Cell Formation from Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions

Quantification of Monocyte Transmigration and Foam Cell Formation from Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions

Published on: October 17, 2017

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Analysis of Microglia and Monocyte-derived Macrophages from the Central Nervous System by Flow Cytometry

Analysis of Microglia and Monocyte-derived Macrophages from the Central Nervous System by Flow Cytometry

Published on: June 22, 2017

Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling (q3DISM) of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease

Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling (q3DISM) of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: December 26, 2016

Quantification of Monocyte Transmigration and Foam Cell Formation from Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions

Quantification of Monocyte Transmigration and Foam Cell Formation from Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions

Published on: October 17, 2017

Main Results:

Monocytes can be recruited to the brain by Aβ in AD models.
Monocytes exhibit a "double-edged sword" effect, with potential beneficial or detrimental roles.
Evidence suggests ineffective Aβ phagocytosis by monocytes in human AD.

Conclusions:

Monocytes have complex and potentially contradictory roles in Alzheimer's disease.
The phagocytic capacity of monocytes for Aβ appears compromised in AD patients.
Further research is needed to elucidate the precise involvement of monocytes in AD progression and to explore therapeutic strategies targeting them.