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

As the size of a person’s belly grows, studies show the memory center of the brain shrinks and hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s disease can appear — namely beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 23 June 2025

Testing for the presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain via specific blood biomarkers and MRI scans is critical in determining the extent of functional impairment. —Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

The test works by measuring proteins beta-amyloid and p-tau217, which are believed to be hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 21 May 2025

Both drugs clear the brain of a substance called beta-amyloid, which forms the sticky plaques associated with Alzheimer's. —Jon Hamilton, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for beta-amyloid

• corticosteroid
• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid
• amyloid
• aneroid
• anthropoid
• arachnoid
• asteroid
• benzenoid
• carcinoid
• celluloid

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