So perhaps developing tangles is an inevitable part of growing old. NFTs have been described as looking like a rope tied in knots. A protein named tau has been shown to be involved in forming NFTs, but more research is needed to solve the mystery of how and why NFTs form, and how exactly they affect the brain. Unlike tangles, plaques occur outside the neuron. Plaques are mainly composed of a protein called beta amyloid , although other proteins contribute to plaque formation.
Proteins are vital molecules that control all sorts of processes in our body.
It is unknown whether these deposits are due to excess production or whether the enzymes that usually break it down are not functioning properly. This situation is similar that of cholesterol in our bodies. Some cholesterol is needed to keep our cells healthy, but too much cholesterol can block arteries and lead to heart attacks and other problems. These drugs inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine by blocking the action of cholinesterase, the key enzyme in the breakdown of acetylcholine. Both drugs increase the level of the acetylcholine in the brain.