MPO and Alzheimer disease: Accordingly, the loss of facilitating mechanism by LC may explain, at least in part, in AD the alteration of gonadotropin secretion by the MPO neurons surviving to neurodegenerative phenomena; this might be further amplified by the fact that LC loss might play an earlier, and even more important role, in concurring to the marked degeneration itself of MPO which occurs in AD (see “The loss of neuroprotective effects of LC efferences may enhance AD pathology also in the hypothalamus” section).