What is a biological factor associated with Alzheimer's disease?

The formation of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles is a well-established biological factor associated with Alzheimer's disease. These plaques primarily consist of beta-amyloid peptides that accumulate in the spaces between nerve cells, while neurofibrillary tangles are made up of hyperphosphorylated tau protein that aggregates inside neurons. The presence of these abnormal structures disrupts normal neural function, leading to the cognitive decline and memory loss characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Understanding this biological basis is crucial, as it highlights the pathophysiological processes that underlie the disease and informs potential therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting these features to slow disease progression or alleviate symptoms. The formation of plaques and tangles is considered a hallmark of Alzheimer's and is critical for both research into the disease and its clinical diagnosis.