What are the characteristic findings in Alzheimer's disease?

In Alzheimer's disease, the hallmark pathological features include neurofibrillary tangles and beta-amyloid plaques. Neurofibrillary tangles are composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, which disrupts normal neuronal function and leads to cell death. Beta-amyloid plaques are formed from the accumulation of amyloid-beta peptides, which aggregate and can cause neuroinflammation and further neuronal damage.

These findings are critical for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's and are observed during histopathological examination of brain tissue. While atrophy of the temporal lobes and widening of the sulci can also be associated with Alzheimer's disease due to the overall degeneration of brain tissue, they are not specific characteristic findings. The presence of Lewy bodies, which are associated with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease, is not characteristic of Alzheimer's disease; thus, identifying neurofibrillary tangles and beta-amyloid plaques is essential for distinguishing Alzheimer's from other types of dementia.