Nucleus collapse linked to dementia neuron death offers new therapy target

King's College London researchers identify karyoptosis, a nucleus-destructing process triggered by waste buildup in neurons, as a significant contributor to brain cell death in Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia. The enzyme p38 MAP kinase marks LaminB1 for destruction, causing nuclei to disintegrate; blocking this interaction delayed cell death in experiments, suggesting a potential therapeutic route. Analysis of human and animal brain cells showed higher rates of karyoptosis in dementia patients (about 35% of frontal-cortex cells) than in healthy controls (about 15%). The study, published in Nature Communications, points to new targets to slow neuron loss and extend treatment windows.