Which therapeutic strategy is consistent with the amyloid cascade hypothesis in Alzheimer’s disease?

Which therapeutic strategy is consistent with the amyloid cascade hypothesis in Alzheimer’s disease?

• A. Target vascular factors exclusively.
• B. Therapies that reduce beta-amyloid deposition or target tau.
• C. Increase tau phosphorylation to reduce amyloid.
• D. Immunosuppression to reduce neuroinflammation only.

Answer: (C)

The amyloid cascade hypothesis holds that beta-amyloid buildup starts a chain of events that leads to tau pathology and ultimately neuron loss. Therapies that fit this view are aimed at interrupting that initial trigger or its downstream effects—specifically by reducing beta-amyloid deposition or by targeting tau to prevent tangles and neuronal damage. Increasing tau phosphorylation would worsen tau pathology and doesn’t address the amyloid-triggered cascade, so it isn’t consistent with this approach. Strategies focused only on vascular factors or on broad immunosuppression for inflammation miss the central amyloid-tau sequence. In short, techniques that lower beta-amyloid deposition or directly target tau align with the amyloid cascade idea.

The amyloid cascade hypothesis holds that beta-amyloid buildup starts a chain of events that leads to tau pathology and ultimately neuron loss. Therapies that fit this view are aimed at interrupting that initial trigger or its downstream effects—specifically by reducing beta-amyloid deposition or by targeting tau to prevent tangles and neuronal damage. Increasing tau phosphorylation would worsen tau pathology and doesn’t address the amyloid-triggered cascade, so it isn’t consistent with this approach. Strategies focused only on vascular factors or on broad immunosuppression for inflammation miss the central amyloid-tau sequence. In short, techniques that lower beta-amyloid deposition or directly target tau align with the amyloid cascade idea.