JARGON BUSTER

SCIENTIFIC terms decoded. This week: Amyloid

THE word amyloid means ‘starch-like’ — an amyloid is an abnormal protein made in the bone marrow. A build-up of amyloids can lead to fibrils (stiff, fibre-like structures) in the tissues and organs, which disrupt their normal function.

Amyloids are linked to a number of illnesses, including a group of diseases called amyloidosis — the symptoms vary depending on the area affected. The most common form is Alzheimer’s: here amyloid plaques form in the brain, affecting cognitive functions.

If it’s the heart that’s affected, amyloidosis can interfere with its ability to pump, resulting in heart failure.

There is no cure for amyloidosis, but some patients may be given treatments to reduce the production of amyloids.