Alzheimer’s Progresses in Two Distinct Phases

New research has shown that Alzheimer’s disease impacts the brain in two primary phases: an early, gradual phase that damages select cell types and a late phase marked by rapid, widespread damage as symptoms emerge. In the early stage, subtle changes occur slowly, including the loss of specific inhibitory neurons, which may contribute to neural circuit dysfunction. The second phase aligns with symptom onset and the buildup of Alzheimer’s hallmarks like plaques and tangles.