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

Definition of beta-amyloid

: 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

First Known Use of beta-amyloid

1987, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of beta-amyloid was in 1987

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Dictionary Entries Near beta-amyloid

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Cite this Entry

“Beta-amyloid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beta-amyloid. Accessed 9 Aug. 2021.

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More Definitions for beta-amyloid

beta-amyloid

noun
be·​ta-am·​y·​loid
variants: also β-amyloid \ -​ˈam-​ə-​ˌlȯid How to pronounce beta-amyloid (audio) \ or beta-amyloid protein or beta-amyloid peptide

Medical Definition of beta-amyloid

: 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

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