Amyloid beta-protein precursor accumulates in dystrophic neurites of senile plaques in Alzheimer-type dementia.

We raised two rabbit antisera against synthetic peptides corresponding to the carboxyl- and amino-terminal regions of the predicted amyloid beta-protein precursor (APP). Both antisera recognized the same 106-135 kDa proteins of human brain extract by immunoblot analysis. Immunocytochemical studies showed that these antisera both reacted with the same dystrophic neurites within the senile plaques of Alzheimer brains. These results indicated that APP accumulated in the dystrophic neurites of the senile plaques.