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Advanced Neurology                                                   Graphene quantum dots approach in AD

















































            Figure 1. Synthesis of GQDs. Image created by the authors using Canva and Microsoft word.
            Abbreviations: GO: Graphene oxide; GQD:  Graphene quantum  dot; HNO : Nitric acid; H SO : Sulfuric acid;  KMnO : Potassium  permanganate;
                                                                         2
                                                                                           4
                                                                           4
                                                              3
            KOH: Potassium hydroxide; NaOH: Sodium hydroxide; PAH: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.
            AD is characterized by extracellular amyloid plaques
            composed of aggregated Aβ and intracellular NFTs,
            primarily formed from hyperphosphorylated tau protein.    Over-production or  Formation of Aβ
                                                         49
            Amyloid deposits, as illustrated in  Figure  2, accumulate   impaired clearance  oligomers and  Neurotoxicity
            first in the hippocampus and basal regions, gradually    of Aβ        aggregates
            recruiting additional Aβ peptides and contributing to
            increased aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and
            synaptic impairment. This subsequently activates microglia   Figure  2. The cascade begins with the overproduction or impaired
            and  astrocytes,  triggering  inflammatory  and  oxidative   clearance of Aβ, eventually leading to the formation of oligomers and
            processes that eventually lead to widespread neuronal   aggregates, which contribute to neurotoxicity. Image  created by the
            dysfunction and apoptosis. The progression of AD involves   authors using Microsoft Word.
                                                               Abbreviation: Aβ: Amyloid-beta.
            Aβ plaque deposition extending from the hippocampus to
            cortical regions, including the amygdala, diencephalon, and   5. Cobalamin deficiency
            basal ganglia. This deposition occasionally reaches severe
            stages in the cerebellar and lower brainstem regions.  This   Vitamin B12 deficiency is implicated as a risk factor for AD
                                                     50
            advanced deposition facilitates tau aggregation, notably in   due to its role as a cofactor for methionine synthase, crucial
            the entorhinal and locus coeruleus regions, extending into   for converting homocysteine to methionine. Deficiency
            the hippocampus and cortical areas. 51             of vitamin B12 leads to hyperhomocysteinemia, which is



            Volume 4 Issue 4 (2025)                         21                               doi: 10.36922/an.7087
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