Aβ is believed to penetrate neuronal plasma membranes, where it leads to lipid peroxidation.10 It has also been implicated in deactivating a subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, thereby inhibiting conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA and the eventual production of
cellular energy as ATP.32 Another way Aβ
affects glucose metabolism in the brain is that fragments of Aβ disrupt insulin signaling by binding to neuronal synapses, which alters their shape and function.15, 38 Insulin receptors are abundant at synapses, so if the
integrity of the synapse itself has been compromised, the receptors won't function effectively.