Untangling a cause of memory loss in neurodegenerative diseases

Tauopathies are a group of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer ’s disease that are characterized by the deposition of aggregates of the tau protein inside brain cells. A new study reveals that the cutting of tau by an enzyme called caspase-2 may play a critical role in the disordered brain circuit function that occurs in these diseases. Of interest, the culpr it tau fragment identified in this study is actually resistant to forming aggregates, and it causes a disturbance in memory function in animal models before brain cell loss occurs.

Source: NINDS Press Releases and News: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - October 11, 2016 Category: Neurology Source Type: news