Compromised clearance and cognitive decline

We describe a network model for the progression of Alzheimer's disease based on the underlying relationship to toxic proteins. From human patient data we construct a network of a typical brain, and simulate the concentration and build-up of toxic proteins, as well as the clearance, using reaction--diffusion equations. Our results suggest clearance plays an important role in delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease, and provide a theoretical framework for the growing body of clinical results.