How Do Amyloid Plaques and Neurofibrillary Tangles Affect Memory?
Amyloid plaques are extracellular deposits of amyloid-beta protein, while neurofibrillary tangles are intracellular accumulations of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Histologically, these pathological features are prominent in Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid plaques disrupt synaptic function and trigger inflammatory responses, while neurofibrillary tangles interfere with intracellular transport and neuronal integrity, both of which contribute to cognitive decline and memory loss.
