Abstract
Despite considerable progress in defining the role of the β-amyloid protein (Aβ) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease (AD), the mechanism by which accumulation of Aβ causes dementia remains elusive. Memory loss is probably caused by an Aβ-induced change in synaptic plasticity. Computational neuroscience (neural network modelling) studies demonstrate that cell death (or synaptic loss as a consequence of cell death) per se cannot cause the specific pattern of gradual amnesia that occurs in AD. Amnesia typical of that seen in AD can only be produced when synaptic scaling occurs. Synaptic scaling is a compensatory homeostatic mechanism which maintains the excitatory response of individual neurons and prevents the catastrophic amnesia associated with synapse loss. In this review, several possible mechanisms of synaptic scaling are described.
Keywords: Amyloid, nicotinic receptor, neural network, computational neuroscience, amnesia, acetylcholinesterase, synaptic scaling
Current Alzheimer Research
Title: Mechanisms of Synaptic Homeostasis in Alzheimers Disease
Volume: 1 Issue: 1
Author(s): David H. Small
Affiliation:
Keywords: Amyloid, nicotinic receptor, neural network, computational neuroscience, amnesia, acetylcholinesterase, synaptic scaling
Abstract: Despite considerable progress in defining the role of the β-amyloid protein (Aβ) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease (AD), the mechanism by which accumulation of Aβ causes dementia remains elusive. Memory loss is probably caused by an Aβ-induced change in synaptic plasticity. Computational neuroscience (neural network modelling) studies demonstrate that cell death (or synaptic loss as a consequence of cell death) per se cannot cause the specific pattern of gradual amnesia that occurs in AD. Amnesia typical of that seen in AD can only be produced when synaptic scaling occurs. Synaptic scaling is a compensatory homeostatic mechanism which maintains the excitatory response of individual neurons and prevents the catastrophic amnesia associated with synapse loss. In this review, several possible mechanisms of synaptic scaling are described.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Small H. David, Mechanisms of Synaptic Homeostasis in Alzheimers Disease, Current Alzheimer Research 2004; 1 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205043480573
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205043480573 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New Advances in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Alzheimer's Disease
Aims and Scope: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence that demands concerted efforts to advance our understanding and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This thematic issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative approaches from multidisciplinary perspectives to address ...read more
Current updates on the Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroinflammation is an invariable hallmark of chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders and has long been considered a potential drug target for Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and dementia. Significant evidence of inflammatory processes as a feature of AD is provided by the presence of inflammatory markers in plasma, CSF and postmortem brain ...read more
Deep Learning for Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing number of individuals affected yearly. Deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, has shown immense potential in various domains, including healthcare. This thematic issue of Current Alzheimer Research explores the application of deep learning techniques in advancing our ...read more
Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of dementia
Dementia affects 18 million people worldwide. Dementia is a syndrome of symptoms caused by brain disease, usually chronic or progressive, clinically characterized by multiple impairments of higher cortical functions such as memory, thinking, orientation, and learning. In addition, in the course of dementia, cognitive deficits are observed, which often hinder ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Pathophysiology of Neurodegeneration in Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Current Molecular Medicine SPECT Radiopharmaceuticals for Dementia
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Assessment of Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Organic Environmental Pollutants in Liver and Adipose Tissue of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients and Age-matched Controls
Current Alzheimer Research Insulin Resistance and Alzheimers Disease Pathogenesis: Potential Mechanisms and Implications for Treatment
Current Alzheimer Research Understanding Epigenetic Alterations in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease: Towards Targeted Biomarkers and Therapies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reverses Aβ1–42-induced Dysfunction in Gamma Oscillation during Working Memory
Current Alzheimer Research Purines and Pyrimidines: Metabolism, Function and Potential as Therapeutic Options in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Protein & Peptide Science Evidence for Pleiotropic Effects of Statins in Clinical Trials
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Neurotransmitter Regulation of Adult Neurogenesis: Putative Therapeutic Targets
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Coumarin Compounds in Medicinal Chemistry: Some Important Examples from the Last Years
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Perspectives in Medicinal Chemistry: Focusing on the Link between Diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease and Cancer for the Discovery of New Medicines
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry NAD<sup>+</sup>/NADH Metabolism and NAD<sup>+</sup>-Dependent Enzymes in Cell Death and Ischemic Brain Injury: Current Advances and Therapeutic Implications
Current Medicinal Chemistry Changes in Speech Chunking in Reading Aloud is a Marker of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research The Prevention and Treatment of Delirium in Elderly Patients Following Hip Fracture Surgery
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Are Raw Scores on Memory Tests Better than Age- and Education- Adjusted Scores for Predicting Progression from Amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer Disease ?
Current Alzheimer Research Mechanisms of Cell Signaling and Inflammation in Alzheimers Disease
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy Mutations in PRKN and SNCA Genes Important for the Progress of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Genomics Hyphenated Mass Spectrometry Techniques in the Diagnosis of Amyloidosis
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Role of the Parasympathetic Nervous System in Cognitive Training
Current Alzheimer Research Secondary Hypertension: The Ways of Management
Current Vascular Pharmacology