Microglial cells are the driving force in fibrillar plaque formation, whereas astrocytes are a leading factor in plaque degradation

Abstract Ultrastructural three-dimensional reconstruction of human classical plaques in different stages of development shows that microglial cells are the major factor driving plaque formation by fibrillar amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition. The amount of fibrillar Aβ released by microglial cells and the area of direct contact between amyloid and neuron determine the extent of dystrophic changes in neuronal processes and synapses. The volume of …