beta-amyloid

noun

be·​ta-am·​y·​loid ˈbā-tə-ˈa-mə-ˌlȯid How to pronounce beta-amyloid (audio)
variants or beta-amyloid protein or beta-amyloid peptide
: an amyloid that is derived from a larger precursor protein and is the primary component of plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease
beta-amyloid is the main component of the plaques, or brain lesions, found in the estimated 4 million Americans afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.Discover
… researchers in California have created mice carrying the gene for beta-amyloid protein, the principal component of the plaques riddling the brains of people with Alzheimer's.Charlene Crabb
… he never underwent an autopsy that would have shown unequivocally whether the gummy mess of beta-amyloid plaques that is the telltale symptom of Alzheimer's had infected his brain.Michael Greenberg

called also A-beta, amyloid beta, amyloid beta peptide, amyloid beta protein

Examples of beta-amyloid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In so doing, the therapy reduced the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles—hallmark features of Alzheimer’s—in the brains of mice engineered to mimic the condition. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2024 And according to a recent report, beta-amyloid may be produced in the brain as a defense mechanism to pathogens that are introduced via the nasal cavity — a.k.a., sticking dirty fingers in the nose. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 5 Feb. 2024 Unlike beta-amyloid, which requires a spinal tap or PET scan to identify, this other protein can be identified in the blood, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2024 Diving back into the circumstances behind the two drugs developed to reduce beta-amyloid plaques: In 2019, two late-stage clinical trials of aducanumab were terminated after a committee determined the drug didn’t demonstrate statistical significance on efficacy in slowing cognitive decline. Jon Hu, STAT, 18 Dec. 2023 But the autopsy done following Bridges’ death in 1987 showed that her brain was missing the telltale signs of Alzheimer’s disease — plaques, or abnormal clusters of beta-amyloid protein fragments, and tau tangles from dead nerve cells. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023 Animal models demonstrate choline may help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s by aiding in the reduction of a harmful brain protein called beta-amyloid, which is often found in high levels in Alzheimer’s patients. Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Clec, Verywell Health, 17 Nov. 2023 Brain glue Clumps of protein called beta-amyloid are widely considered an indicator and driver of Alzheimer’s disease. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2023 The build up of beta-amyloid plaques and tangles may cause Alzheimer’s, but social conditions show much greater risk for some Americans even before that chemical change begins to happen. Jeremy Ney, Time, 7 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beta-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

1987, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beta-amyloid was in 1987

Dictionary Entries Near beta-amyloid

Cite this Entry

“Beta-amyloid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beta-amyloid. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

beta-amyloid

noun
be·​ta-am·​y·​loid
variants also β-amyloid or beta-amyloid protein or beta-amyloid peptide
: an amyloid that is derived from amyloid precursor protein and is the primary component of plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease

called also A-beta, amyloid beta, amyloid beta peptide, amyloid beta protein

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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