Statistical physics and Alzheimer’s disease

We discuss the possible utility of statistical physics in elucidating some of the puzzling phenomena that seem to occur in the brains of patients affected with Alzheimer’s disease. Further, we report three specific results from this approach: (i) The size distribution of senile plaques appears to be log-normal, (ii) We develop a model for growth of senile plaques that is characterized by both aggregation and disaggregation, and (iii) We quantify neuron architecture and find quantitative evidence for the existence of microcolumns positioned at right angles to the known lamina.