Beyond Plaques and Tangles: Scientists Discover Key to Halting Brain Damage in Alzheimer’s

Researchers at KU Leuven and VIB have uncovered a biochemical process, necroptosis, responsible for nerve cell death in Alzheimer’s disease, particularly related to tau protein. 

Using specific inhibitors prevented nerve cell loss and improved memory in mouse models, suggesting a new path for Alzheimer’s therapies beyond amyloid plaque removal.

The findings open up new research avenues in the search for therapies that could halt or prevent the accumulation of brain damage occurring in Alzheimer’s.

Pesquisadores da KU Leuven e da VIB descobriram um processo bioquímico, a necroptose, responsável pela morte de células nervosas na doença de Alzheimer, particularmente relacionada à proteína tau.

O uso de inibidores específicos evitou a perda de células nervosas e melhorou a memória em modelos de camundongos, sugerindo um novo caminho para as terapias de Alzheimer além da remoção da placa amiloide.

As descobertas abrem novos caminhos de pesquisa na busca de terapias que possam interromper ou evitar o acúmulo de danos cerebrais que ocorrem na doença de Alzheimer.