Could a Naturally Occurring Brain Protein Help Protect…

Could a Naturally Occurring Brain Protein Help Protect Against Alzheimer's Disease? Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of two abnormal proteins in the brain: amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles. While many experimental treatments have focused on reducing amyloid, therapies that prevent tau-related brain damage remain limited. A new study published in Science Advances suggests that a naturally occurring brain protein called SORLA may help protect against tau-related damage. In a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, higher levels of SORLA reduced tau accumulation, preserved brain structure, and maintained healthier connections between neurons. Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys investigated the role of SORLA (sorting-related receptor with A-type repeats) in Alzheimer's disease. Using genetically engineered mice that develop tau pathology, the researchers found that increasing SORLA levels: Reduced abnormal tau hyperphosphorylation, an early step in tangle formation. Limited the spread of toxic tau "seeds