Metal ions and beta amyloid: Conformational modifications and biological aspects

Abstract

Many molecular modifications such as senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are known to be associated with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. In this connection, metal dyshomeostasis has aroused great interest and considerable support in recent years as relevant pathological cofactors of neurodegeneration. It has been largely demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro that aberrant metal ion metabolism can lead to the development and/or worsening of several neurological disorders. In this chapter, we will focus recent biophysical findings on β-amyloid structural modifications triggered by metal ions and we will provide insights into the biological consequences of these phenomena.