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Glite Dictionary
amyloid protein plaque

amyloid protein plaque

7.9
A clump of protein that builds up in the brain, often in Alzheimer's disease
  • noun
  • /ˈæməˌlɔɪd ˈproʊtiːn plæk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : placa de proteína amiloide
  • Researchers are studying how amyloid protein plaques develop and disrupt normal neural function.

Examples

  • An amyloid protein plaque was found.

  • Early detection of amyloid protein plaque could help in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative conditions.

  • The accumulation of amyloid protein plaque in the brain is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

  • The amyloid protein plaque is harmful.

  • Researchers discovered that the accumulation of amyloid protein plaques in the brain is a key indicator of Alzheimer's disease.

  • People diagnosed with Alzheimer's often exhibit a significant buildup of amyloid protein plaques in their neuro tissue.

  • The presence of amyloid protein plaques in the brain can lead to cognitive decline in patients with neurodegenerative disorders.

Synonyms

amyloid plaque
vsamyloid protein plaque
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A clump of protein that builds up in the brain and is seen in Alzheimer's disease

is presented as a deposited mass in tissue rather than a loose clump

Surface Forms

amyloid protein plaque singular
amyloid protein plaques plural

Morphology

amyloid + protein + plaque

The meaning is strictly compositional: 'amyloid' (a type of protein) + 'protein' (organic molecule) + 'plaque' (an abnormal deposit) together denote a deposit made of amyloid protein. Although this is a medical term, the noun-noun composition is predictable and a learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer the MWE.

Etymology

Amyloid protein plaque is named for sticky protein clumps called amyloid that form a thin plaque or patch on the brain, a bit like the sticky film on teeth. These sticky patches build up and get in the way of brain cells, which is why they are linked to 'Alzheimer's disease'.