Once plaques establish themselves in the brain's cortex and hippocampus, they cause significant damage:
The process begins with the , a protein typically found in the membranes of neurons.
: Enzymes called secretases (specifically β-secretase and γ-secretase) cut APP into smaller fragments.
: These sticky fragments clump together, first forming small groups called oligomers, and eventually maturing into the large, dense deposits known as senile plaques . 2. Impact on Brain Function