beta-amyloid

noun

be·​ta-am·​y·​loid ˈbā-tə-ˈa-mə-ˌlȯid 

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

The drug is an antibody that removes beta-amyloid that accumulates in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 2 July 2024

The recommendation came despite pointed questions from advisory committee members about the potential side effects of Eli Lilly's drug, an antibody that removes beta-amyloid that accumulates in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 11 June 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

beta-amyloid

noun

be·​ta-am·​y·​loid

variants also β-amyloid

-ˈam-ə-ˌlȯid 

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