The Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid Precursor Protein and its Neuritogenic Actions

: The Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) is principally known and studied for its involve- ment in Alzheimer’s disease as the source of the amyloid β peptide; however, its physiological ac- tions within the nervous system are also important as it is involved in a range of neuronal activi- ties, including neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, neurite outgrowth, and neuroprotection. Of the dif- ferent neuronal functions that APP can affect, some may be relevant to APP’s role in Alzheimer’s disease, while others can be primarily related to its physiological roles. This review will focus on APP’s neuritogenic actions and surmise the key molecular mechanisms, as well as the structural and signaling requirements, which form the basis for APP’s neuritogenic effects. Deciphering the normal function(s) of APP is valuable to properly understanding its role in health as well as Alzheimer’s disease.