What neurotransmitter's deficiency is noted in Alzheimer's disease?

In Alzheimer's disease, the deficiency of acetylcholine (ACh) plays a significant role in the cognitive decline and memory loss associated with this condition. Acetylcholine is a crucial neurotransmitter involved in various brain functions, particularly in the areas related to attention, memory, and learning.

Research has shown that the levels of acetylcholine are notably reduced in the brains of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. This decline in ACh is linked to the degeneration of cholinergic neurons, which are responsible for producing and releasing acetylcholine. The impact of ACh deficiency is evident as patients experience difficulties in forming new memories and retrieving existing ones, which are hallmark symptoms of Alzheimer's.

In understanding the importance of neurotransmitters, it's also valuable to recognize that other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, while they have their own significant roles in mood, arousal, and other functions, are not the primary contributors to the cognitive symptoms observed in Alzheimer's disease. Instead, the stark decrease in acetylcholine correlates heavily with the pathological features and symptoms of this neurodegenerative disorder.