The amyloid-beta wave hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and multifactorial disorder that affects all races and genders. Genetic traits influenced by lifestyle and environment lead to a tremendous amount of heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease onset and severity. Regardless of these unique contributing factors, Alzheimer's disease is traditionally met with amyloid-beta plaque formation in the central nervous system. In this commentary, we shed light on the growing literature surrounding amyloid-beta's ability to act as an antimicrobial peptide in the central nervous system's innate immune response to pathogenic infections. We hypothesize that there are, "amyloid-beta waves" that are created by the responses of neuroglia and neurons to microbial pathogens. The improper clearance and residual buildup of amyloid-beta waves throughout life increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease. In conclusion, we suggest that anti-amyloid therapies during pathogenic infections or flare-ups may slow the development of Alzheimer's disease by reducing amyloid-beta waves throughout the aging of individuals.