Final answer:
The focus of Alzheimer's disease research is on understanding the development of amyloid, the substance forming plaques which contribute to neuronal death and cognitive decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main research effort in the war to prevent Alzheimer's disease centers around understanding the development of amyloid, a fatty substance that is the basic component of the senile plaques. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, which are believed to play a central role in the cognitive decline seen in patients. The amyloid beta peptide is produced from the enzymatic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), and in Alzheimer's patients, there is an abnormal accumulation of these peptides, which can lead to the formation of plaques. These plaques disrupt cell-to-cell communication and can trigger inflammatory responses that ultimately lead to neuronal death.