Neuronal Vulnerability of the Entorhinal Cortex to Tau Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease

作者：Simi Zhang, Chelsea Ann Crossley, Qi Yuan · 发表于：British Journal of Biomedical Science · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.3389/bjbs.2024.13169 · 被引用次数：16 · 研究领域：Alzheimer's disease research and treatments、Memory and Neural Mechanisms、Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms

This review delves into the entorhinal cortex (EC) as a central player in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), emphasizing its role in the accumulation and propagation of tau pathology. It elucidates the multifaceted functions of the EC, encompassing memory formation, spatial navigation, and olfactory processing, while exploring how disruptions in these processes contribute to cognitive decline in AD. The review discusses the intricate interplay between tau pathology and EC vulnerability, highlighting how alterations in neuronal firing patterns and synaptic function within the EC exacerbate cognitive impairments. Furthermore, it elucidates how specific neuronal subtypes within the EC exhibit differential susceptibility to tau-induced damage, contributing to disease progression. Early detection methods, such as imaging techniques and assessments of EC blood flow, are examined as potential tools for identifying tau pathology in the preclinical stages of AD. These approaches offer promise for improving diagnostic accuracy and enabling timely intervention. Therapeutic strategies targeting tau pathology within the EC are explored, including the clearance of pathological tau aggregates and the inhibition of tau aggregation processes. By understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying EC vulnerability, researchers can develop more targeted and effective interventions to slow disease progression. The review underscores the importance of reliable biomarkers to ...