(Source: University of Virginia) - Scientists at the University of Virginia have identified what appears to be a missing link in the process that destroys nerve cells in Alzheimer's disease. The findings may lead to new drugs that target and disrupt specific proteins that lead to Alzheimer's.
In Alzheimer's disease, two kinds of abnormal structures accumulate in the brain: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The researchers found a connection between beta-amyloid and tau that occurs before they form plaques and tangles.
"We think we've found one of the seminal cell biological events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's and if we can figure out all of the steps in the process and understand each player at every step, it will represent many potential new drug targets for Alzheimer's therapy," said George Bloom.
Go to full story: virginia.edu
