Tau is More Harmful to the Brain than Amyloid in Alzheimer ' s Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a condition characterized by amyloid aggregation, chronic inflammation in brain tissue, and tau aggregation, these aspects of the condition progressing at different paces and interacting with one another in complex ways that are yet to be fully understood. Amyloid aggregation is widely thought to be the initial, triggering pathology. Tau aggregation is found in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease, once cell death begins in earnest, and the evidence suggests that this form of pathology is driven by chronic inflammation in the brain. Removal of senescent supporting cells in the brain, thereby reducing inflammatory signaling, can reverse tau aggregation in mouse models of the condition, for example. The failure of treatments that clear amyloid aggregates to improve patient outcomes in clinical trials has led to a growing debate over how the various aspects of Alzheimer's disease fit together to produce the progression from mild cognitive impairment to full blown dementia. Perhaps amyloid is a side-effect of chronic inflammation, or simply no longer important to the progression of the condition once matters have progressed to the point of sustained inflammation and tau aggregation. Researchers are now looking more closely at addressing chronic inflammation and tau aggregation either instead of or in addition to clearance of amyloid. The evidence, such as that noted below, continues to support this change in strategy. Alzheimer 'tau' protei...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs