I would like to know why amyloid plaques (deposits in the brain of a sticky protein called amyloid beta peptide) "causes" neurodegeneration? I am aware that it doesn't directly CAUSE neurodegenerenation, but I want to know why that protein is so special in Alzheimer's Disease. Do neurons die because of it?
If I were to say that Alzheimer's Disease is a Tauopathy, I would be saying that it is "caused" by neurofibrilary tangles (overexpression of tau protein), right? So this amyloid plaque would not be that relevant?
Research done in this area, in tauopathies, has the aim of trying to find out a drug, compound, that will have a positive effect on reducing the amount of tau protein produced in the brain. Would this be a possible cure for Alzheimer's Disease and other tauopathies? Why do we want to reduce the amount of tau protein produced in the brain? To see if it is the cause of neurodegenerative diseases?
Please help. Do answer. Even if you do not have any good knowledge on this matter, I would like to know what you think and what makes sense to you. It can get me started. Thanks for at least reading