Impaired Synaptic Plasticity Mechanisms in Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, characterized by progressive cognitive decline driven by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Increasing evidence highlights impaired synaptic plasticity as a major contributor to early cognitive deficits, often preceding neuronal loss. In particular, disruption of long-term potentiation (LTP) within the hippocampus, a region essential for learning and memory, plays a central role. Accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins compromises synaptic integrity, leading to reduced synaptic density and altered protein expression critical for excitatory signaling. Additional mechanisms, including microglial activation and mitochondrial dysfunction, further aggravate synaptic impairment through inflammation and oxidative stress. Understanding these interconnected molecular and cellular disruptions offers crucial insight into the pathways underlying synaptic dysfunction in AD. By elucidating these mechanisms, future research can inform novel therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving synaptic function and slowing disease progression.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Hippocampus; Long-term potentiation; Synaptic plasticity.