How does the presence of neurofibrilliary (tau) tangles contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease?Question 48Select one:a.They instigate sclerosis and plaque formation.b.They trigger a strong inflammatory response.c.They lead to the build-up of large intercellular plaques.d.They cause the deposition of intercellular β-amyloid.e.They disrupt intraneuronal communication and transport.
Question
How does the presence of neurofibrilliary (tau) tangles contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease?Question 48Select one:a.They instigate sclerosis and plaque formation.b.They trigger a strong inflammatory response.c.They lead to the build-up of large intercellular plaques.d.They cause the deposition of intercellular β-amyloid.e.They disrupt intraneuronal communication and transport.
Solution
The presence of neurofibrillary (tau) tangles contributes to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease by disrupting intraneuronal communication and transport.
Here's a step-by-step explanation:
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Neurofibrillary tangles are aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein that are most commonly known as a primary marker of Alzheimer's Disease.
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Tau proteins are involved in the assembly and stabilization of microtubules in a neuron. Microtubules are essential for nutrient transport, structural stability and intracellular communication within neurons.
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In Alzheimer's disease, tau proteins undergo abnormal chemical changes that cause them to detach from microtubules and stick to each other, forming threads that eventually join to form tangles inside neurons.
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These tangles block the neuron's transport system, which harms the synaptic communication between neurons and can lead to cell death.
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The progressive death of neurons in key areas of the brain leads to the symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease, such as memory loss and cognitive decline.
So, the correct answer is e. They disrupt intraneuronal communication and transport.
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