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Editor’s note: It is trivial to state that the survival of the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its amyloidogenic derivatives during evolution indicates that they have a useful biological function, more fundamental than helping AD researchers to make a living. This basic science article indicates that APP may be important in neurogenesis. It implies that although excessive production of APP and its derivatives may damage the aged brain, we would not have brains to begin with without APP. The clinical implication is that interventions that are designed to alter the levels or metabolism of APP could be harmful. Close monitoring of new treatments for deleterious side effects is, as always, necessary for anti-amyloid medications for treating AD.