Scientists have revealed the hidden protection of the brain from Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have discovered a natural brain cleansing mechanism that helps individual neurons remove toxic tau protein, a key factor in Alzheimer's disease. This was reported on March 3 in the journal Science Daily.

Using human neurons grown in the laboratory and the CRISPRi method, the scientists conducted large-scale genetic screening and identified the CRL5SOCS4 protein complex. He labels tau with chemical "tags", directing it to cellular recycling systems for destruction. Neurons with higher CRL5SOCS4 activity demonstrated resistance to toxic tau accumulation.

Additionally, the study showed a link between mitochondrial stress and the formation of a dangerous tau fragment (~25 kDa), which coincides with the NTA-tau biomarker in Alzheimer's patients. Stress reduces the efficiency of the proteasome, the "processing machine" of the cell, which leads to improper processing of tau and accelerates the pathological accumulation of protein.

According to Avi Samelson, strengthening the activity of CRL5SOCS4 and protecting the proteasome during cellular stress may become a new direction for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery also revealed previously unknown ways of tau regulation, including protein modification (UFMylation) processes and enzymes involved in the formation of membrane anchors.

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On January 26, Science Daily magazine reported on the impact of obesity and hypertension on the risk of dementia. According to the publication, high body mass index and high blood pressure are the direct causes of the disease. According to experts, the discovery suggests that preventing or treating obesity and hypertension may reduce the risk of dementia in the future.

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