International researchers have found that a specific amyloid protein–amyloid-beta–appears to be the pathogenic (disease-causing) agent for Alzheimer’s disease, and is not just a side-effect of the disease.

Soluable amyloid-beta taken from the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and given to rats caused multiple disease symptoms, including reduced dendritic spine density.

Alzheimer’s disease affects some 29.8 million people worldwide.

See also Amyloid-beta protein dimers isolated directly from Alzheimer’s brains impair synaptic plasticity and memory