Synaptic Function and Dysfunction in AlzheimerâÂÂs Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease, primarily affecting the elderly. Pathophysiological mechanisms have been elucidated in the past decades. First of all, AD is progressive leading to cognitive deficits till dementia. Pathologically, AD features synaptic dysfunction with changes of neuronal circuitry, progressive accumulation of protein aggregates such as the beta amyloid and tau. Herein we critically review neurobiological processes and factors involved in AD, in light of recent results on synaptic dysfunction and impairment of neuronal activity.