Abnormal accumalation of tau protein in the brain has been linked to various neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The harmful protein aggregates can result in memory loss, confusion and even aggressive behavior. These diseases are called tauopathies. Currently, no simple test is available to identify whether individuals' symptoms are associcated with tau accumulation in the brain.
Now a new study, published in the latest version of the journal Science Translational Medicine and led by Washington University in collaboration with the University of California, has shown that antibodies can capture tau in the blood. This may aid in developing tools for measurement of tau levels.
Study senior author Professor David Holtzman and colleagues developed a method to evaluate tau levels in the bloodstream. Importantly, the method is able to accurately reflect tau levels in the brain. Based on the findings, the researchers may be able to develop a noninvasive test for tau, which would help screen for tauopathies, monitor disease progression, and evaluate the effect of therapeutic agents tageting the tau protein.
Measuring tau levels in the bloodstream can provide insights into the status of tau in the fluid surrounding cells in the brain, according to Prefessor Holtzman.
The tau protein a naturally occuring protein in human body. Although its function is not very clear, it has been shown that tau plays a role in maintaining the structure of neurons. However, if it accumulates and forms tangles, it can damage and destroy nearby neurons, afffecting brain functions. This study demonstrated that antibody can detect the harmful protein in AD and other tauopathies. (Cusabio offers Recombinant Il4r.)
留言列表
