Scientists have made a breakthrough discovery about the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease using living human brain tissue for the first time. Researchers exposed healthy brain tissue to a toxic form of the protein amyloid beta, which is linked to the disease. The study found that this toxic form of the protein damages connections between brain cells without triggering repair processes.
The researchers also discovered that even small changes in amyloid beta levels can disrupt brain cells. This suggests that the brain requires a precise balance of the protein to function properly. The findings have implications for developing new treatments and potentially improving existing ones.
The study, published in Nature Communications, used an innovative approach to keep tiny fragments of human brain tissue alive in laboratory dishes for several weeks after collection. This allowed researchers to investigate the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease in living brain cells. Additional findings included increased levels of another key protein called tau in affected areas of the brain, which may contribute to the spread of toxic proteins between cells.
The study offers a rare opportunity to test experimental drugs before they enter clinical trials, increasing the chances of finding effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The research was conducted by Robert I. McGeachan and colleagues at the University of Edinburgh.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-human-brain-tissue-reveals-alzheimer.html