Low Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Trigger Self-aggregated Amyloid β-Induced Neuronal Cell Death in an Alzheimer's Cell Model.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau, and thereby induction of neuronal cell death. The Aβ-induced neuronal cell death has been shown to occur by several modes, such as apoptosis, necrosis, and necroptosis. Interestingly, in AD patients, the brain and serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been reported to be significantly decreased. However, the relationship between Aβ and BDNF in the onset of AD remains to be fully understood. Here, we used neuron-like differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y (ndSH-SY5Y) cells to study the neurotoxicity of self-aggregated Aβ