The amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide and its deposits in the brain are known to be implicated in the neurodegeneration that occurs during Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recently, alternative theories views concerning both the source of this peptide and its functions have been developed. It has been shown that, as in all other known types of amyloidosis, the production of Aβoriginates in blood cells or cells related to blood plasma, from which it can then spread from the blood to inside the brain, with the greatest concentration around brain blood vessels. In this review, we summarize research progress in this new area and outline some future perspectives. While it is still unclear whether the main source of Aβdeposits in AD is the blood, the possibility of blocking the chain of reactions that lead to constant Aβrelease from the blood to the brain may be exploited in an attempt to reduce the amyloid burden in AD. Solving the problem of Aβaccumulation in this way may provide an alternative strategy for developing anti-AD drugs.
Impact of molecular targets in cancer drug development: historical influence and future perspectives
