title: A window into the heterogeneity of human cerebrospinal fluid Aβ peptides.
abstract: The initiating event in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an imbalance in the production and clearance of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides leading to the formation of neurotoxic brain Aβ assemblies. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), which is a continuum of the brain, is an obvious source of markers reflecting central neuropathologic features of brain diseases. In this review, we provide an overview and update on our current understanding of the pathobiology of human CSF Aβ peptides. Specifically, we focused our attention on the heterogeneity of the CSF Aβ world discussing (1) basic research studies and what has been translated to clinical practice, (2) monomers and other soluble circulating Aβ assemblies, and (3) communication modes for Aβ peptides and their microenvironment targets. Finally, we suggest that Aβ peptides as well as other key signals in the central nervous system (CNS), mainly involved in learning and hence plasticity, may have a double-edged sword action on neuron survival and function.
authors.affiliation: Proteomics Unit, IRCCS Centro S. Giovanni di Dio-FBF, Brescia, Italy. rghidoni@fatebenefratelli.it
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghidoni
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paterlini
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Albertini
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stoppani
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Binetti
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fuxe
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benussi
authors.forename: Luigi F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Agnati
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides