Alzheimer's Society comment on new tau tangle research

New research published in Nature Cell Biology suggests that tangle formation can be transferred from one type of trans genetic mouse line to another. The research was carried out using two different mouse lines, one generated specifically to express a mutated form of human tau known to cause tangles and disease, the other generated to express normal human tau. Ordinary (wild type) mice do not have a type of tau that can make tangles.  More research is needed to understand the implications of these results.

'The observation that tangle formation can be transferred from one type of trans genetic mouse line to another is certainly exciting and may change the way we think about tangle formation in diseases such as Alzheimer's.

However, the research was carried out using two different trans genetic mouse lines and we will need a lot more research before we understand the implications of these observations.

There is still so much we do not understand about the changes in tau that lead to tangle formation in humans and, eventually, widespread brain cell death. Each new piece of knowledge helps build a better picture and takes us closer to the point where we can stop loss of brain tissue and dementia for good.'

Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society


Reference: Clavaguera F et al. Transmission and spreading of tauopathy in transgenic mouse brain. Nature Cell Biology, published online 7 June 2009.

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