Brain Plaques (IMAGE) Washington University School of Medicine Caption A new study reveals that the brain's ability to clear the main ingredient of Alzheimer's plaques slows with age (the plaques are red in this image). The findings could help explain why risk of the disease increases with age. Credit John Cirrilto Usage Restrictions Please credit photographer. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.