Fresh insights into damaging proteins that build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease could aid the quest for treatments. A study in mice reveals how the two proteins work together to disrupt communication between brain cells.
Scientists observed how proteins - called amyloid beta and tau - team up to hamper key genes responsible for brain messaging. By changing how genes are expressed in the brain, the proteins can affect its normal function. These changes in brain function were completely reversed when genetic tools were used to reduce the presence of tau, researchers found.
The study focused on the connection points between brain cells - known as synapses - that allow chemical and electrical messages to flow and are vital to healthy brain function. Stopping the damage that the two proteins cause to synapses could help scientists prevent or reverse dementia symptoms, the researchers say.
In both the mouse model and in brain tissue from people with Alzheimer's disease, the team found clumps of amyloid beta and tau proteins in synapses.
When both amyloid beta and tau were present in the brain, genes that control the function of synapses were less active. And some of the genes that control the immune system in the brain were more active.
Related to increased immune system activity, the scientists observed immune cells called microglia containing synapses in the brains of mice. This adds to findings from recent studies suggesting that these immune cells consume synapses during Alzheimer's disease.
The lead researcher said: "More work is needed to take what we've learned in this study and find therapeutics - but this is a step in the right direction, giving us new targets to work towards."
https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/2019/dementia-study-reveals-how-proteins-can-stop
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(19)31526-8
http://sciencemission.com/site/index.php?page=news&type=view&id=publications%2Famyloid-beta-and-tau&filter=22
Tau and amyloid team up to damage synapses!
- 4,382 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
How the brain fine-tunes it…
By newseditor
Posted 25 Apr
Immune cells carry a long-l…
By newseditor
Posted 25 Apr
Mutations in noncoding DNA…
By newseditor
Posted 24 Apr
More influence of environme…
By newseditor
Posted 24 Apr
The assembly of the human c…
By newseditor
Posted 24 Apr
Other Top Stories
How brain encodes odor
Read more
False memories can be reversed
Read more
Exercise during pregnancy improves kids metabolic health
Read more
Striatal dopamine linked to hallucination-like behaviors!
Read more
How changes in neural engagement helps in learning
Read more
Protocols
A programmable targeted pro…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
MemPrep, a new technology f…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
A tangible method to assess…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
Stem cell-derived vessels-o…
By newseditor
Posted 06 Apr
Single-cell biclustering fo…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Apr
Publications
The MYCN 50 UTR as a therap…
By newseditor
Posted 25 Apr
Control of neuronal excitat…
By newseditor
Posted 25 Apr
Epithelial UNC-23 limits me…
By newseditor
Posted 25 Apr
Macrophage memories of earl…
By newseditor
Posted 25 Apr
A gut-derived hormone regul…
By newseditor
Posted 25 Apr
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar