Aβ coarse-grained plaque described in early onset Alzheimer’s disease

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposits, one of the defining pathologies of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), exist in numerous morphologies that differ in clinical significance. Dense core plaques and diffuse plaques are most commonly described, but around a dozen types of non-vascular amyloid deposits have been described. Baayla Boon, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, & Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands, introduces a newly identified plaque type: the coarse-grained plaque (CGP). A recent investigation using tissue from the Mayo Clinic brain bank identified CGPs in ~60% of AD cases. These cases were typically younger at onset and had a lower brain weight, compared to those in which no CGPs were found. Studies of the distribution of the CGP have found it to exist predominantly in the neocortex. Dr Boon comments on ongoing studies to further characterize the plaque, its significance, and potential genetic associations. This interview took place at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2022 in San Diego, CA.