**Core Concept**
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain, leading to neuronal loss and cognitive decline.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer involves understanding the histopathological features of Alzheimer's disease. The characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease is the presence of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the cerebral cortex. Amyloid-beta plaques are extracellular deposits of beta-amyloid peptides, which are fragments of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Neurofibrillary tangles are intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. These pathological changes lead to neuronal dysfunction and death, resulting in the cognitive and memory impairments associated with Alzheimer's disease.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not accurately describe a feature of Alzheimer's disease. While inflammation is a component of the disease, it is not a defining feature.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because it refers to a different neurodegenerative disorder. Parkinson's disease is characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor symptoms such as tremors and rigidity.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because it is a feature of a different condition. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system, leading to symptoms such as vision loss and weakness.
* **Option D:** This option is incorrect because it refers to a different type of dementia. Frontotemporal dementia is a group of disorders characterized by the degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes, leading to changes in personality and language.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
One key feature of Alzheimer's disease is the presence of amyloid-beta plaques in the cerebral cortex, which can be detected using imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET). This is a critical diagnostic clue that helps differentiate Alzheimer's disease from other dementias.

**Correct Answer:** D.