Emerging Roles of Extracellular Vesicles in Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on Synaptic Dysfunction and Vesicle-Neuron Interaction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered by many to be a synaptic failure. Synaptic function is in fact deeply affected in the very early disease phases and recognized as the main cause of AD-related cognitive impairment. While the reciprocal involvement of amyloid beta (A beta) and tau peptides in these processes is under intense investigation, the crucial role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by different brain cells as vehicles for these molecules and as mediators of early synaptic alterations is gaining more and more ground in the field. In this review, we will summarize the current literature on the contribution of EVs derived from distinct brain cells to neuronal alterations and build a working model for EV-mediated propagation of synaptic dysfunction in early AD. A deeper understanding of EV-neuron interaction will provide useful targets for the development of novel therapeutic approaches aimed at hampering AD progression.

Automated summary

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by synaptic failure, with extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by brain cells playing a crucial role in the early stages. This review examines the contribution of EVs from different brain cells to neuronal alterations and proposes a model for EV-mediated propagation of synaptic dysfunction in early AD. Understanding the interaction between EVs and neurons may lead to new therapeutic approaches for AD.