In initial stages, a deregulation of cross-linkers between plasma membrane and actin-based cytoskeleton such as the protein complex ezrin-moesin-radixin (EZR-MSN-RDX) and regulators of the interaction between components of cell-cell junctions (L1CAM, CD9, CD81, CTTN, cadherin) suggested an imbalance in the cellular assembly and morphology at early AD stages (Fig. 3a). The gene discussed is CD81; the disease is Alzheimer disease.