Brain 'hazmat' protein cleans up tau: Could it prevent dementia?

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified a hazardous waste collector in the brain that disposes of the toxic clumps of tau protein that can lead to dementia. Neurons with more of this garbage collector, technically known as CUL5, are less vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease.

The research helps explain how some brain cells may remain resilient even in advanced disease and points to new therapeutic strategies that could boost the brain's natural defenses against neurodegeneration.

"CUL5 is uniquely suited to getting rid of tau," said Martin Kampmann, Ph.D., professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at UCSF. "Maybe a future therapy could enhance the body's natural mechanism for avoiding neurodegeneration."