Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease, a highly prevalent form of dementia, targets neuron function beginning from the hippocampal region and expanding outwards. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by elevated levels of heavy metals, such as lead, zinc, and copper. Copper is found in many areas of daily life, raising a concern as to how this metal and Alzheimer’s disease are related. Previous studies have not identified the common pathways between excess copper and Alzheimer’s disease etiology. Our review corroborates that both copper and Alzheimer’s disease target the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brainstem, affecting motor skills and critical thinking. Additionally, Aβ plaque formation was analyzed beginning from synthesis at the APP parent protein site until Aβ plaque formation was completed. Structural changes were also noted. Further analysis revealed a relationship between amyloid-beta plaques and copper ion concentration. As copper ion levels increased, it bound to the Aβ monomer, expediting the plaque formation process, and furthering neurodegeneration. These conclusions can be utilized in the medical community to further research on the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease and its relationships to copper and other metal-induced neurotoxicity.
Highlights
IntroductionAlzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that targets neuron communication and can result in loss of cell function or cell death [1,2,3]
This study found that free excess copper often pools in the soma of cerebellar granule and cortical pyramidal neurons, as well as the hippocampus and spinal cord [36]
This study found that increased copper ion concentrations result in greater fibril formation, once again increasing Aβ plaque buildup [1]
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that targets neuron communication and can result in loss of cell function or cell death [1,2,3]. This is due to the buildup of abnormally structured proteins called amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles between neurons, essentially blocking communication [3]. Alzheimer’s disease initially disrupts bodily communication, metabolism, and repair processes [3]. Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal form of dementia, and, according to a 2020 study, is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States [4]
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