The therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's

.
Alzheimer's Donation
Donate Online Now
.

A new study by NYU Medical Center researchers shows for the first time that the immune system can combat the pathological form of tau protein, a key protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease. The researchers, led by Einar Sigurdsson Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pathology at New York University School of Medicine, created a vaccine in mice that suppresses aggregates of tau. The protein accumulates into harmful tangles in the memory center of the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

The study used mice that were genetically engineered to produce abnormal tau proteins early in life. These became entangled in several regions of the central nervous system. The resulting loss of motor coordination was significantly reduced in those immunized with a specific piece of the detrimental tau protein. By producing antibodies that could enter the brain and bind to irregular tau, the immune system prevented their harmful aggregation and associated behavioral impairments. "This approach may have extensive therapeutic implications because you can specifically target the problematic protein," said Dr. Sigurdsson. "Tau aggregates are inside the cell, making it especially difficult to develop a therapy to target and clear them from the cell."

Alzheimer's disease is estimated to affect five million Americans. While treatments exist that may modestly alleviate its symptoms, none delay or prevent the onset of the disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The disease is associated with neurons in the memory center of the brain becoming choked by the buildup of two types of proteins: tau, which turns destructive when it is prone to forming fibrous tangles, and amyloid beta. Compared to extracellular amyloid plaques, tau aggregates are confined inside of brain cells, making them more difficult to reach.

"It's likely that there's a synergism in the pathology," said Dr. Sigurdsson. "Amyloid pathology may cause tau pathology and tau pathology might cause more amyloid pathology. What you have is a vicious cycle. If you can target both of these proteins you'll likely have more efficacious treatment."

The therapeutic approach is based on using fragments of abnormal tau protein as a vaccine. These fragments are studded with phosphate groups, which are thought to promote the aggregation of tau. The antibodies generated by the vaccine are therefore likely to bind to abnormal tau and promote its breakdown. Normal tau, which would be far less affected, has such important biological functions as facilitating transport of chemicals within neurons and maintaining their structure.

Vitamin K linked to less varicose veins
Inactivation of a vitamin K-dependent protein may contribute to the development of varicose veins, says a new study that highlights the role of supplementation for improving vascular health.

posted YVN