The focality of the global Alzheimer brain process: is the selective vulnerability of neurons a specific phenomenon of primary neuronal pathobiology?
A focality in the development of a global series of predisposing factors that conditions a progressiveness in the neurodegenerative process of Alzheimer type would appear to arise as a specific lesion of the neuron. Such a neuronal lesion would perhaps disrupt functional connectivity of neuronal networks in a process involving loss of neuronal viability. Indeed, a strict concept of selective vulnerability of neurons in the Alzheimer brain might be simply a preconditioning by microenvironmental factors that interacts with the individual neuron in terms of cellular component depletion or in terms of plasmalemmal disruption. In a final analysis, perhaps, the individual neuron would appear as the essential focus of a process that would account for a conditioning globality of the Alzheimer process that promotes both progressiveness and irreversibility of the brain pathology.
Agius
Lawrence M
LM
Department of Pathology, St. Luke's Hospital, University of Malta, Gwardamangia, Msida, Malta, Europe. lawrence.agius@um.edu.mt
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology