Ganglioside GM1 produces Aβ₄₀cytotoxic protofibril structure

Monosialoganglioside GM1-bound amyloid β-peptides have been found in patients’ brains exhibiting early pathological changes of Alzheimer’s disease. Herein, we report the ability of free GM1 to modulate Aβ40aggregation resulting in the formation of short rod-like, cytotoxic Aβ40protofibrils with the ability to potentiate both Aβ40and Aβ42aggregation.