Modeling the spatial propagation of Aβ oligomers in Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Recent advances in the study of Alzheimer’s Disease and the role of Aβ amyloid formation have caused the focus of biologists to progressively shift towards the smaller protein assemblies, the oligomers. These appear very early on in the disease progression and they seem to be the most infectious species for the neurons. We suggest a model of spatial propagation of Aβ oligomers in the vicinity of a few neurons, without considering the formation of large fibrils or plaques. We also include a simple representation of the oligomers neurotoxic effect. A numerical study reveals that the oligomers spatial dynamics are very sensitive to the balance between their diffusion and their replication, and that the outcome in terms of the progression of AD strongly depends on it.