Review: disruption of the postsynaptic density in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative dementias

Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2010 Nov;25(7):547-55. doi: 10.1177/1533317510382893. Epub 2010 Sep 21.

Abstract

The most common causes of neurodegenerative dementia include Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We believe that, in all 3, aggregates of pathogenic proteins are pathological substrates which are associated with a loss of synaptic function/plasticity. The synaptic plasticity relies on the normal integration of glutamate receptors at the postsynaptic density (PSD). The PSD organizes synaptic proteins to mediate the functional and structural plasticity of the excitatory synapse and to maintain synaptic homeostasis. Here, we will discuss the relevant disruption of the protein network at the PSD in these dementias and the accumulation of the pathological changes at the PSD years before clinical symptoms. We suggest that the functional and structural plasticity changes of the PSD may contribute to the loss of molecular homeostasis within the synapse (and contribute to early symptoms) in these dementias.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Frontotemporal Dementia / pathology*
  • Frontotemporal Dementia / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Lewy Body Disease / pathology*
  • Lewy Body Disease / physiopathology
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Post-Synaptic Density / pathology*
  • Post-Synaptic Density / physiology