Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes

Gamze Doğan; Güvem Gümüş Akay

doi:10.65092/autfm.1733075

EN TR

Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurological condition among the elderly, characterized by progressive cognitive decline and is the most common form of dementia. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques are the hallmark pathological features of AD. However, substantial experimental evidence suggests that alterations in synaptic function, leading to cognitive impairment in AD patients, may represent early indicators of the disease. In this review, we classify, discuss, and describe the primary findings related to changes in the neurophysiological mechanisms of pre- and post-synaptic structure and function underlying AD. Both mechanical and chemical impairments caused by Aβ plaques and NFTs disrupt synaptic function, leading to compromised long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), as well as alterations in pre- and post-synaptic proteins.

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease, Pre-synaptic structures, Post-synaptic structures, Synaptic dysfunction

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Neurosciences (Other)

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Gamze Doğan ^*
0000-0001-5903-6428
Türkiye

Güvem Gümüş Akay
0000-0002-6564-3133
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

July 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 8, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 78 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65092/autfm.1733075

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA23LT38FS

APA

Doğan, G., & Gümüş Akay, G. (2025). Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası, 78(4), 283-294. https://doi.org/10.65092/autfm.1733075

AMA

1.Doğan G, Gümüş Akay G. Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası. 2025;78(4):283-294. doi:10.65092/autfm.1733075

Chicago

Doğan, Gamze, and Güvem Gümüş Akay. 2025. “Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes”. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası 78 (4): 283-94. https://doi.org/10.65092/autfm.1733075.

EndNote

Doğan G, Gümüş Akay G (December 1, 2025) Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası 78 4 283–294.

IEEE

[1]G. Doğan and G. Gümüş Akay, “Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes”, Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 283–294, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.65092/autfm.1733075.

ISNAD

Doğan, Gamze - Gümüş Akay, Güvem. “Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes”. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası 78/4 (December 1, 2025): 283-294. https://doi.org/10.65092/autfm.1733075.

JAMA

1.Doğan G, Gümüş Akay G. Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası. 2025;78:283–294.

MLA

Doğan, Gamze, and Güvem Gümüş Akay. “Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes”. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası, vol. 78, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 283-94, doi:10.65092/autfm.1733075.

Vancouver

1.Gamze Doğan, Güvem Gümüş Akay. Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası. 2025 Dec. 1;78(4):283-94. doi:10.65092/autfm.1733075

Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes

Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review of Neuronal Changes

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Alzheimer Hastalığında Sinaptik İşlev Bozukluğu: Nöronal Değişimlere İlişkin Anlatımsal Bir Derleme

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