Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding Alzheimer’s disease by mapping the structure of molecules in the human brain. They used advanced techniques like cryo-electron tomography and fluorescence microscopy to delve deep into the brain of a donor with Alzheimer’s.
The study, published in Nature, provided detailed 3-dimensional maps showing the proteins in the brain, which are vital for life and incredibly tiny – a million times smaller than a grain of rice. The focus was on two key proteins associated with dementia: ‘β-amyloid’, forming plaques, and ‘tau’, which creates abnormal filaments in Alzheimer’s.
By examining the molecular makeup of tau and the arrangement of amyloids, researchers discovered new structures intertwined with the disease in the brain. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and the leading cause of death in the UK.
This study, conducted at the University of Leeds in collaboration with researchers from Amsterdam UMC, Zeiss Microscopy, and the University of Cambridge, aims to explore how proteins interact within cells and tissues, specifically in diseased human cells, to identify potential targets for future therapies and diagnostics.
