The paper reviews the structure, biological functions, and neurotoxicity of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) in the context of Alzheimer's disease. Aβ is produced by the proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) through β- and γ-secretases. The accumulation of Aβ in the brain is proposed to be an early toxic event in Alzheimer's disease, characterized by senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The review discusses the potential receptors that interact with Aβ and mediate its intake, clearance, and metabolism. It also summarizes therapeutic developments and recent advances in treating Alzheimer's disease, including small molecules, vaccines, and antibodies against Aβ, inhibitors or modulators of β- and γ-secretase, Aβ-degrading proteases, tau protein inhibitors, and vaccines. The paper highlights the progress in searching for novel, potentially effective agents and selected promising strategies for treating Alzheimer's disease. Key topics include the molecular architecture of APP, the structure and aggregation pathways of Aβ, the biological functions of Aβ, and the role of Aβ in neurodegeneration.The paper reviews the structure, biological functions, and neurotoxicity of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) in the context of Alzheimer's disease. Aβ is produced by the proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) through β- and γ-secretases. The accumulation of Aβ in the brain is proposed to be an early toxic event in Alzheimer's disease, characterized by senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The review discusses the potential receptors that interact with Aβ and mediate its intake, clearance, and metabolism. It also summarizes therapeutic developments and recent advances in treating Alzheimer's disease, including small molecules, vaccines, and antibodies against Aβ, inhibitors or modulators of β- and γ-secretase, Aβ-degrading proteases, tau protein inhibitors, and vaccines. The paper highlights the progress in searching for novel, potentially effective agents and selected promising strategies for treating Alzheimer's disease. Key topics include the molecular architecture of APP, the structure and aggregation pathways of Aβ, the biological functions of Aβ, and the role of Aβ in neurodegeneration.