Mechanisms and possible causes of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease has been found to be genetically transmitted. Structural changes in the disease include loss of neurons, specifically cholinergic and perhaps noradrenergic neurons. Functional connections among neurons are also lost. No cause has yet been determined, but slow viruses, autoimmune processes, and aluminum toxicity have been proposed.
D000535:Aluminum / Q000378:metabolism; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003704:Dementia / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D012897:Slow Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D000535:Aluminum