PMCID
PMC12685873

The amyloid-beta wave hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and multifactorial disorder that affects all races and genders. Genetic traits influenced by lifestyle and environment lead to a tremendous amount of heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease onset and severity. Regardless of these unique contributing factors, Alzheimer's disease is traditionally met with amyloid-beta plaque formation in the central nervous system. In this commentary, we shed light on the growing literature surrounding amyloid-beta's ability to act as an antimicrobial peptide in the central nervous system's innate immune response to pathogenic infections. We hypothesize that there are, "amyloid-beta waves" that are created by the responses of neuroglia and neurons to microbial pathogens. The improper clearance and residual buildup of amyloid-beta waves throughout life increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease. In conclusion, we suggest that anti-amyloid therapies during pathogenic infections or flare-ups may slow the development of Alzheimer's disease by reducing amyloid-beta waves throughout the aging of individuals.

Year of Publication
2025
Journal
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
Volume
15
Pages
1723095
Date Published
12/2025
ISSN
2235-2988
DOI
10.3389/fcimb.2025.1723095
PubMed ID
41376786
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