title: Alzheimer's Disease: Assessing the Role of Spirochetes, Biofilms, the Immune System, and Amyloid-β with Regard to Potential Treatment and Prevention.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an infectious disease caused by spirochetes, and these spirochetes form biofilms, which attract the innate immune system. The innate immune system first responder, Toll-like receptor 2, generates both NF-κB and TNF-α which try to kill the spirochetes in the biofilm, but cannot penetrate the "slime". NF-κB is also responsible for the generation of amyloid-β (Aβ) which itself is anti-microbial. Aβ cannot penetrate the biofilm either, and its accumulation leads to destruction of the cerebral neurocircuitry. Treatment with penicillin (as in tertiary syphilis, the comparator to AD) is outlined; a biofilm dispersing agent may need to be added to the protocol.
authors.forename: Herbert B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects; D013144:Spirochaetales / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides
keywords: Amyloid-β; biofilm; innate immunity; spirochetes; treatment