Brain gatekeepers clear tau: Alzheimer’s may cripple this cleanup
TL;DR
Specialized brain cells called tanycytes clear tau proteins from cerebrospinal fluid into the bloodstream, helping remove potentially toxic tau from the brain. In Alzheimer's disease, tanycytes are damaged and less tau moves to the blood, correlating with brain tau buildup; this reveals a potential mechanism for disease progression and a new target to boost tau clearance.
- These brain cells clear proteins that contribute to Alzheimer’s Nature
- Scientists Discover Hidden Brain Cells That Remove Toxic Alzheimer’s Protein SciTechDaily
- Scientists just found the brain’s hidden defense against Alzheimer’s ScienceDaily
- Specific protein and sugar molecules affected by aging and disease identified Medical Xpress
- Study reveals a disease-relevant role for tanycytes in neurodegeneration News-Medical
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