Researchers have made a significant step forward in understanding Alzheimer’s disease by identifying a specific enzyme that may be responsible for triggering the condition. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, found that the enzyme tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) adds a special tag to tau protein, making it difficult for the brain to clear away unwanted tau.
In healthy brains, tau helps support and stabilize brain cells, but in people with Alzheimer’s disease, tau builds up inside neurons and forms twisted clumps called neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles can disrupt communication between neurons, leading to damage in areas of the brain responsible for memory, thinking, and behavior.
The study used mice genetically altered to have a build-up of tau in their brains and found that blocking TYK2 reduced the amount of toxic tau and improved neuronal function. This suggests that targeting TYK2 could be a new approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease.
TYK2 inhibitor drugs have already been tested in humans for other conditions, but more research is needed to determine if they can reach the brain and effectively lower tau levels. While the study is promising, it is still early-stage and requires further testing to confirm its efficacy and safety.
Source: https://www.psypost.org/brain-health-immune-enzyme-linked-to-toxic-tau-buildup-in-alzheimers-disease