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What are Senile Plaques?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Senile plaques are deposits of protein that form outside the brain cells. The protein clumps distinctively and can be clearly seen on a microscopic examination of a sample from a patient. Senile plaques, along with tangles, are two key diagnostic findings in people with Alzheimer's disease and they can also be observed in some other degenerative neurological conditions. They are commonly uncovered on autopsies of older adults and the risk of having plaques increases significantly after age 60, especially among women.

The protein that forms senile plaques is known as amyloid-beta (a-beta) protein. The plaques are also referred to as amyloids. Amyloids can form elsewhere in the body as well, as seen in the condition amyloidosis. The protein is believed to have neurotoxic properties that contribute to cognitive degeneration. In addition, senile plaques can physically interfere with the conduction of signals in the brain and may push brain tissue aside, disrupting normal brain function in the patient.

Deposits of protein called senile plaques form outside of brain cells.
Deposits of protein called senile plaques form outside of brain cells.

Plaques have been noted in brain tissue since the late 1800s, and researchers began connecting them with cognitive decline in the 20th century. Researchers working on conditions like Alzheimer's realized that all patients shared traits like the presence of plaques and tangles in the brain, as noted in autopsies of patients after they died. Senile plaques can also be identified in brain biopsies, although because biopsies are invasive, they are not usually recommended. Patients who appear to be developing symptoms of senility will be treated for senility without biopsied.

Senile plaques can cause an unsteady gait, as well as other mobility issues.
Senile plaques can cause an unsteady gait, as well as other mobility issues.

Understanding how senile plaques form can help researchers develop approaches to treatment of people with conditions like Alzheimer's. In addition to working on pharmaceuticals that could slow, stop, or regress plaque formation, researchers are also interested in finding ways to prevent the development of plaques in the first place. Numerous facilities around the world are studying the development of senility and ways that it can be addressed, as improvements in medical care have increased life expectancy and subsequently increased the chances that people will live long enough to develop cognitive degeneration.

Consuming niacin-rich foods such as peanuts may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Consuming niacin-rich foods such as peanuts may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

In patients with senile plaques, brain function is gradually eroded as the plaques form and spread. Depending on the location of the plaques, different types of cognitive function may be impaired. Patients can lose their memories, have difficulty speaking, and develop physical symptoms like tremors and an unsteady gait. Senile plaques can also contribute to the development of mood changes like aggression and depression in older adults.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Logicfest

@Melonlity -- I am no expert, but I did see my father suffer from a similar condition called amyloidosis (that is referenced in the article). The problem came with separating the amyloids from other tissue. In my father's case, that involved a lot of chemotherapy which did have some effectiveness but was very harsh on him.

Think about it. Chemotherapy is hard on a young, healthy person. It is twice as hard on someone who is older. You can't just bomb the elderly with chemotherapy and expect good results. And, here's something else. The problem with those plaques is that they can be killed with chemotherapy, but they keep coming back. So, more chemo is required and that puts the patient at risk -- it's a vicious circle.

And when you're talking about the brain, then there's another set of risks involved.

It seems, then, the solution is to prevent these plaques from forming. But researchers have had trouble figuring out why they form, much less how to stop them.

Melonlity

If they know that the plaques are associated with Alzheimer's disease, what is preventing researchers from developing a way to eliminate them efficiently? That would seem to be the obvious solution and one can't help but believe it is tough to implement because otherwise people would have figured out how to do that by now.

The question, then, is why are these plaques so difficult to eliminate.

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    • Deposits of protein called senile plaques form outside of brain cells.
      By: Mikhail Basov
      Deposits of protein called senile plaques form outside of brain cells.
    • Senile plaques can cause an unsteady gait, as well as other mobility issues.
      By: GVictoria
      Senile plaques can cause an unsteady gait, as well as other mobility issues.
    • Consuming niacin-rich foods such as peanuts may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
      By: lirtlon
      Consuming niacin-rich foods such as peanuts may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
    • The risk of having senile plaques increases significantly after age 60, especially among women.
      By: wildworx
      The risk of having senile plaques increases significantly after age 60, especially among women.
    • Senile plaques can be seen in brain biopsies, although this invasive procedure is avoided when possible.
      By: luchschen_shutter
      Senile plaques can be seen in brain biopsies, although this invasive procedure is avoided when possible.
    • Senile plaques are a key diagnostic element with Alzheimer's disease.
      By: blueringmedia
      Senile plaques are a key diagnostic element with Alzheimer's disease.
    • Patients who have senile plaques may experience cognitive impairment.
      By: Fotoluminate LLC
      Patients who have senile plaques may experience cognitive impairment.