Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
amyloid plaque

amyloid plaque

1 6.9
A clump of protein that builds up in the brain and is seen in Alzheimer's disease
  • noun
  • /ˈæməˌlɔɪd plæk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : placa amiloide
  • Although the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is complex, substantial evidence suggests that the accumulation of amyloid plaques within the central nervous system is a major pathological feature of the disease.
  • beta-amyloid plaque
  • amyloid plaques in the brain
  • amyloid plaques and tangles

So we saw in the Nova clip that the PET scans showing amyloid plaque deposition.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Doctors often look for amyloid plaques in brain scans to help diagnose Alzheimer's disease.

  • Until a few years ago, scientists believed that amyloid plaques in the brain directly cause Alzheimer's disease.

    Blog text (22)

  • All this red area here, that is amyloid plaque buildup.

    The Gunman (2015)

  • Let's say your amyloid plaque levels have reached that tipping point.

  • These mice develop amyloid plaques in the brain over time and show a decreased ability to learn new tasks.

    Academic text (2018)

  • Accumulation of amyloid proteins in the central nervous system is associated with neurodegenerative disease in aging; for instance, beta-amyloid plaques in brain tissue are linked with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

    Academic text (2018)

  • The presence of amyloid plaques can indicate the progression of Alzheimer's in patients.

  • Researchers are studying how amyloid plaques affect brain function in Alzheimer's disease.

Synonyms

amyloid protein plaque
vsamyloid plaque
  • Specialized
7.9

A clump of protein that builds up in the brain, often in Alzheimer's disease

means the same but differs only by phrasing of the name

Surface Forms

amyloid plaque singular
amyloid plaques plural

Morphology

amyloid + plaque

The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'amyloid' names a specific protein and 'plaque' denotes a deposit, so 'amyloid plaque' literally means a deposit of amyloid protein. This transparent, non-idiomatic medical compound follows regular noun+noun composition and would be inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Amyloid plaque comes from a simple image: sticky protein called amyloid gathers into a flat patch, a plaque, on the brain. That's why the name refers to those protein 'clumps' that build up and harm brain cells in Alzheimer's disease.