amyloid

noun

am·​y·​loid ˈa-mə-ˌlȯid How to pronounce amyloid (audio)
: a waxy translucent substance consisting primarily of protein that is deposited in some animal organs and tissues under abnormal conditions (such as Alzheimer's disease) compare beta-amyloid
amyloid adjective

Examples of amyloid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For example, vitamin D reduces the production of amyloid plaques, which are commonly found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Clec, Verywell Health, 17 Nov. 2023 They may be increased in people with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a brain disease that causes microscopic brain bleeds (22% of persons with Alzheimer’s disease have CAA detected by MRI), or who are taking anti-coagulant medications to prevent stroke. Jason Karlawish, STAT, 16 June 2023 Those requirements include that patients have documented evidence of amyloid, enroll in an online registry and that their doctors collect data on how well the drugs work. Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2023 One of the tests was a PET scan designed to determine whether Reinstein has a buildup of amyloid in his brain. Laurie McGinley, Anchorage Daily News, 4 July 2023 Other evidence implicating the gut in Alzheimer’s comes from animal studies; changing the composition of the gut bacteria reduced the amount of amyloid in the brains of animals. Alice Park, Time, 14 June 2023 But some researchers are working on ways to facilitate elimination of amyloid directly, such as by developing antibodies that would lure immune cells to a specific form of amyloid, or even to any form of amyloid. Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2023 And amyloid isn’t the only predictor of Alzheimer’s. WIRED, 8 Aug. 2023 And because amyloid alone doesn’t cause Alzheimer’s, researchers also tracked levels of another culprit in the brain — abnormal tau. Lauran Neergaard, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amyloid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amyloid was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near amyloid

Cite this Entry

“Amyloid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amyloid. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

amyloid

noun
am·​y·​loid
ˈam-ə-ˌlȯid
1
: a nonnitrogenous starchy food
2
: a waxy translucent substance consisting primarily of protein that is deposited in some animal organs and tissue under abnormal conditions (as in Alzheimer's disease) see beta-amyloid
amyloid adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on amyloid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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