Amyloid (IMAGE) Virginia Tech Caption Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute scientists have uncovered a mechanism in the brain that could account for some of the neural degeneration and memory loss in people with Alzheimers disease. A buildup of misfolded proteins causes an exoskeleton (in blue) to form around blood vessels (in gold) in the brain. Credit Virginia Tech Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.