Katharina Buczek
The researcher’s approach is so unique because of its ability to target tau proteins within cells. This is the very challenge that previous treatments have struggled to overcome.
The team found that TTCM2 utilizes a naturally occurring protein in cells known as TRIM21, which functions as an intracellular antibody receptor – helping to mark the antibody-bound tau aggregates. This tells the cell’s waste disposal system that it needs to be destroyed.
In experiments with mice engineered to develop tau pathology like that seen in Alzheimer’s disease, the results were impressive.
Just one single nasal spray dose effectively eliminated harmful tau clumps and boosted proteins vital for brain cell communication.
Furthermore, the treatment resulted in notable cognitive improvements among older mice with tau pathology.
“This advancement could significantly impact the treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s and related tauopathies, offering new hope for millions of patients suffering from these debilitating conditions,” concluded the study’s first author, Sagar Gaikwad.
Still, it’s crucial to note that since the study was conducted on mice, additional research is necessary to assess the treatment’s safety and effectiveness on humans.
To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in Science Transitional Medicine, visit the link here.
