Amyloid plaques in the brain generally are found in people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. According to RxList.com, these plaques are bunches of beta amyloid protein and small fragments of neurons. The plaques float in the tissue that surrounds and lies between nerve cells. As yet, scientists are not clear about whether these plaques are side effects of Alzheimer's or may be harmful themselves.
Confusion
One of the signs to look for in Alzheimer's disease, the form of dementia that has plaques in the brain, is mental confusion. With Alzheimer's, this may particularly be associated with place and time. Sufferers may not know where they are, but it may come back to them. They also may not know what the day or date is, or what season it is.
Memory Loss
Alzheimer's disease primarily is associated with memory loss. Sufferers may have difficulties, particularly with short-term memory. This usually includes things that happened today or yesterday, but not necessarily something that happened 40 years ago. This type of memory loss may require the sufferer to repeatedly ask the same questions. They also may get into the habit of writing notes to themselves. They may become less independent and ask for help with simple things they always could do alone previously.
Decreased Judgment
Poor judgment may be an occasional sign of impending Alzheimer's disease, particularly if it is way out of character for the sufferer. The patient may find herself spending money in unusual ways and unusual amounts. She also may find herself less interested in how she presents herself to the world.
Personality Changes
One of the more disconcerting signs of dementia from plaque in the brain is changes in personality. Someone who always has been fairly trusting suddenly changing to being suspicious can be such a sign. This can lead to anger, anxiety, fear and depression for the sufferer. Sudden lashing out of the sufferer, including unreasonable accusations, can be disconcerting to those around the person affected.
Losing Things
Another aspect of encroaching Alzheimer's may be that the sufferer begins to lose common items. This may happen because he puts them in uncommon places. He may not be able to remember what he did with an item. This can lead to anger and accusations that the item was stolen by someone close to the person.
