title: Aβ oligomer-induced synapse degeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Aβ oligomers cause a collection of molecular events associated with memory loss in Alzheimer's disease, centering on disrupting the maintenance of synapse structure and function. In this brief review of the synaptotoxic effects of Aβ oligomers, we focus on the neuronal properties governing oligomer targeting and toxicity-especially with respect to binding sites and mechanisms of binding. We also discuss ways in which mechanistic insights from other diseases offer clues in the pursuit of the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. k-wilcox@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Kyle C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: Pascale N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Lacor
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pitt
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides