Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Plaque / Español: Placa / Português: Placa / Français: Plaque / Italian: Placca

Plaque in the psychology context is not a commonly used term. However, if we consider its most relevant application within psychology, it might refer to "amyloid plaques," which are significant in the study of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. These plaques are abnormal clusters of protein fragments that build up between nerve cells, playing a critical role in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease.

Description

Plaque in the context of psychology, particularly neuropsychology, refers to amyloid plaques, which are deposits of amyloid-beta protein that accumulate in the brain. These plaques are one of the hallmark pathological features of Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss. Amyloid plaques interfere with cell-to-cell communication and activate immune responses that trigger inflammation and destroy cells.

Amyloid plaques are formed from the abnormal processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), leading to the accumulation of amyloid-beta peptides in the brain. These peptides clump together, forming plaques that disrupt neural function. The presence of these plaques is associated with the loss of synapses, neuronal death, and the overall shrinkage of brain tissue, particularly in regions involved in memory and cognition.

The history of amyloid plaques dates back to the early 20th century when Dr. Alois Alzheimer first identified these deposits in the brain of a patient with severe dementia. Since then, extensive research has focused on understanding the role of amyloid plaques in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Special: The Role of Amyloid Plaques in Alzheimer's Disease

Amyloid plaques are central to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which posits that the accumulation of amyloid-beta in the brain initiates a sequence of pathological events leading to Alzheimer's disease. This hypothesis suggests that amyloid-beta accumulation is the primary event that triggers tau protein abnormalities, inflammation, and neuronal damage.

Diagnostic and Research Applications

• Imaging Techniques: Advances in neuroimaging, such as PET scans, allow for the visualization of amyloid plaques in the living brain, aiding in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
• Biomarkers: Measuring levels of amyloid-beta in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or using PET imaging to detect plaques can serve as biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, helping to identify individuals at risk or in the early stages of the disease.

Application Areas

Plaque in the psychology and neuropsychology context is primarily relevant in:

1. Neurodegenerative Disease Research: Studying the formation, accumulation, and impact of amyloid plaques on brain function and structure.
2. Clinical Diagnosis: Utilizing imaging and biomarkers to diagnose Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
3. Therapeutic Development: Developing treatments aimed at reducing amyloid plaque accumulation or mitigating its effects on the brain.
4. Cognitive and Behavioral Interventions: Implementing strategies to manage and improve cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

Well-Known Examples

1. PET Scans: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans using amyloid tracers to visualize amyloid plaques in the brain, aiding in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
2. Amyloid-Targeting Therapies: Experimental treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies (e.g., aducanumab), designed to reduce amyloid plaque levels in the brain.
3. CSF Biomarkers: Measuring amyloid-beta levels in cerebrospinal fluid as part of a diagnostic workup for Alzheimer's disease.

Treatment and Risks

Treatment Context:

• Pharmacological Interventions: Medications aimed at reducing amyloid plaque formation or promoting its clearance from the brain.
• Lifestyle Modifications: Strategies to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and cognitive engagement.

Risks and Ethical Considerations:

• Diagnosis and Anxiety: The early detection of amyloid plaques can lead to anxiety and stress for patients and their families, particularly when no definitive cure is available.
• Treatment Side Effects: Potential side effects of experimental amyloid-targeting therapies need to be carefully managed and communicated.

Examples of Sentences

1. "Amyloid plaques are a key feature in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease, disrupting neural communication and contributing to cognitive decline."
2. "Advances in PET imaging have allowed scientists to visualize amyloid plaques in the brains of living patients."
3. "Research is ongoing to develop therapies that can reduce the accumulation of amyloid plaques and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease."

Similar Terms

1. Neurofibrillary Tangles: Another hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, consisting of twisted strands of tau protein found inside neurons.
2. Amyloid-beta Peptides: Protein fragments that accumulate to form amyloid plaques.
3. Neurodegeneration: The progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons.
4. Dementia: A general term for a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life, often associated with Alzheimer's disease.
5. Tau Protein: A protein associated with neurofibrillary tangles, another pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease.

Articles with 'Plaque' in the title

• Neuritic plaques: Neuritic plaques refers to structural change in the brain produced when damaged and dying neurons collect around a core of protein. Neuritic plaques is a normative change in the brain involving amyloid protein collecting on dying or dead . . .
• Plaques: Plaques are deposits of amyloid protein that accumulate in the extracellular spaces of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and other forebrain structures in people with Alzheimer's disease- they are structure formed from degenerating axons . . .
• Amyloid plaques: Amyloid plaques: Amyloid
• Atheromatous plaques: Atheromatous plaques: Atheromatous

Weblinks

• medizin-und-kosmetik.de: 'Plaque' im Lexikon von medizin-und-kosmetik.de (German)
• medizin-und-kosmetik.de: 'Plaque' im Lexikon von medizin-und-kosmetik.de (German)

Summary

Plaque in the psychology context, particularly in neuropsychology, refers to amyloid plaques that are crucial in understanding the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. These plaques, composed of amyloid-beta protein, disrupt neural communication and contribute to cognitive decline. Advances in imaging and biomarker research have enhanced the ability to diagnose and study Alzheimer's disease, although significant challenges and risks remain in the treatment and management of the disorder.

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