Amyloid Toxicity, Synaptic Dysfunction, and the Biochemistry of Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease

Despite considerable progress over the past few years in our understanding of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) production, aggregation, and degradation, little is known about the mechanism of Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity. Although numerous targets of Aβ’s action have been reported [1], it has been difficult to determine which, if any, of these targets is important for disease causation. In this article, we review what is known about the cellular and biochemical mechanisms involved in Aβ neurotoxicity (Fig. 6.1).