Which of the following is most likely to be observed in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease at autopsy?

In Alzheimer's disease, there is generally a decrease in dopamine levels due to neurodegeneration affecting various brain regions, particularly those involved in the dopaminergic system. While some neuropsychiatric symptoms may involve dopaminergic pathways, elevated levels of dopamine are not a typical feature in Alzheimer's pathology.

Neuritic plaques, primarily composed of beta-amyloid peptides, are commonly found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. This choice incorrectly implies that the number of plaques would be reduced, which is contrary to the typical findings where these plaques are often abundant and contribute to the disease's pathology.

Alzheimer's disease is associated with neurodegeneration and loss of myelinated axons, rather than an increase in myelination. This choice misrepresents the condition, as demyelination can occur, contributing to cognitive decline and neuronal communication issues.

In Alzheimer's disease, there is a well-documented reduction in acetylcholine levels due to the degeneration of cholinergic neurons. This choice inaccurately suggests an increase in acetylcholine, which is not consistent with the neurochemical changes observed in the disease.