Deterioration of cognitive abilities and memory in Alzheimer's patients may be attributable to:
A)nonprescription drug usage earlier in life.
B)a buildup of proteins that clump together in the spaces between neurons,interrupting their normal activity.
C)normal aging processes that are unavoidable.
D)one gene that definitively determines whether the disease will appear.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The buildup of proteins, specifically beta-amyloid and tau, in the spaces between neurons is a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and is thought to contribute to the deterioration of cognitive abilities and memory. Nonprescription drug usage and normal aging may play a role in the development of the disease, but the buildup of proteins is the most significant factor. There is no single gene that definitively determines whether the disease will appear, as Alzheimer's is believed to be caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.

Deterioration of Cognitive Abilities and Memory in Alzheimer's Patients May