Figure 1 (IMAGE) Institute for Basic Science Caption Molecular mechanisms of severe reactive astrocytes-induced neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. When astrocytes are exposed to toxic materials, such as amyloid plaques, their properties change, morphologically and functionally, and transform into reactive states. When the reactive astrocytes are severely induced, all the pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease, including neurodegeneration, are precipitated. In this process, we found that the increase of MAO-B activity and the production of hydrogen peroxide play an important role in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Credit IBS/KIST Usage Restrictions Please indicate the credit. 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.