Research reveals two phases of Alzheimer's disease progression

New research funded by the National Institutes of Health reveals that Alzheimer’s disease progresses in two distinct phases. The first phase is gradual and silent, damaging specific cell types, while the second phase is rapid and coincides with the onset of symptoms. In the early phase, the loss of inhibitory neurons disrupts neural circuits without noticeable symptoms. The later phase sees widespread damage and the accumulation of plaques and tangles, leading to memory problems and other symptoms. This study enhances understanding of Alzheimer’s and may lead to targeted treatments for each phase. Advanced brain mapping techniques were used to analyze brain cells from 84 donors, providing a detailed view of the disease's progression.