Scientists Discover How Alzheimer’s May Spread in Brain—And Way to Slow It
Summary
Scientists have found that a protein called Arc helps Alzheimer's disease spread in the brain by carrying toxic Tau proteins between brain cells. This discovery could lead to new treatments that slow the disease by blocking Tau’s movement without stopping the brain’s normal functions.Key Facts
- Alzheimer's disease worsens when Tau proteins build up and spread between brain cells.
- The Arc protein normally helps brain cells communicate by carrying signals in tiny packages called vesicles.
- Tau proteins use Arc and these vesicles to move from damaged brain cells to healthy ones.
- Removing Arc in mice reduced Tau spread and slowed disease progression.
- Arc also helps brain cells get rid of excess Tau, which supports their survival early in the disease.
- Future treatments may focus on stopping Tau-filled vesicles from entering healthy cells, not blocking Arc completely.
- Researchers found evidence of Arc and Tau working together in human brain tissue too.
- The study was published in the journal Cell on June 29, 2024.
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