Study on tau protein may bring Alzheimer’s drug closer to reality

Within the race for brand new methods to deal with Alzheimer’s and different devastating neurologic ailments, the protein tau has develop into a tantalizing goal for drug builders. A brand new examine lends assist to these efforts by describing a beforehand unknown position that tau performs in neurodegeneration — and suggesting a novel approach researchers would possibly block the protein’s exercise.

A crew led by Stanford scientists discovered that tau can gum up the works of a cell’s mitochondria, its energy-producing powerhouse. The protein sends electrons flowing in the wrong way of their traditional microscopic relay race, a reversal that generates reactive oxygen species, mobile stress, and irritation. Scientists discovered that blocking this phenomenon, often called reverse electron transport, reversed lots of the dangerous results and improved studying and reminiscence in flies and mice.

Whether or not the identical will maintain true in folks is for now unclear, although an evaluation of human cells grown within the lab and affected person mind tissue suggests blocking the retrograde circulation of electrons might make neurons more healthy. Two of the examine’s authors have began a biotech startup to place this concept to the check.