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The pathogenesis of senile plaques
Dickson DW.. Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology, 1997-04-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Senile plaques (SP) are complicated lesions composed of diverse amyloid peptides and associated molecules, degenerating neuronal processes,a nd reactive glia. Evidence suggests that diffuse, neurocentric amyloid deposits evolve over time with formation of discrete niduses that eventually become neuritic SP. The evidence for differential amyloid precursor protein metabolism that may favor deposition of A beta 17-42 in this early, possibly aging-related lesion is discussed.
Key findings
- Evidence suggests that diffuse, neurocentric amyloid deposits evolve over time with formation of discrete niduses that eventually become neuritic SP.
- The evidence for differential amyloid precursor protein metabolism that may favor deposition of A beta 17-42 in this early, possibly aging-related lesion is discussed.
- This latter molecule, also known as P3, may represent a benign form of amyloid, since it lacks domains associated with activation and recruitment of glia to SP.
- Subsequent to deposition of A beta 1-42 and then growth of the amyloid with precipitation of soluble A beta 1-40, in an Alzheimer disease-specific process, SP increasingly become associated with activated microglia and reactive astrocytes.
Why it matters
This review discusses how senile plaques form over time and how different forms of amyloid may be involved. It is a discussion of disease mechanisms and does not test any treatment or prevention.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 50/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology: journal h-index 239 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 1997 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 754 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 24.3 citations a year over 31 year(s) since 1997 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 21.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 4 / 6 | Cited by 33 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 52 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Dennis W. Dickson: h-index 218 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine: institution h-index 973 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 9100663) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 50 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Dickson, D. W. (1997). The pathogenesis of senile plaques. Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005072-199704000-00001
Vancouver
Dickson DW. The pathogenesis of senile plaques. Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology. 1997. doi:10.1097/00005072-199704000-00001. PMID: 9100663.
BibTeX
@article{dickson1997-9100663,
author = {Dickson, D. W.},
title = {{The pathogenesis of senile plaques}},
journal = {Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology},
year = {1997},
doi = {10.1097/00005072-199704000-00001},
pmid = {9100663},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1097/00005072-199704000-00001}
}
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