The shape of water at a key tau hotspot helps drive dementia-linked clumping

Scientists pinpoint key hotspot driving tau propagation in dementia

Diseases such as Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia are considered neurodegenerative tauopathies, in which tau proteins in the brain misfold and lead to cognitive decline.

The shape of water at a key tau hotspot helps drive dementia-linked clumping

Diseases such as Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia are considered neurodegenerative tauopathies, in which tau proteins in the brain misfold and lead to cognitive decline. Until now, it has been unclear how misfolded tau recruits other seemingly healthy tau and causes it to misfold and clump.

Study Identifies Single Hydrophobic Hotspot Driving Tau Protein Misfolding Propagation

Diseases such as Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia are considered neurodegenerative tauopathies, in which tau proteins in the brain misfold and lead to cognitive decline. Until now, it has been unclear how misfolded tau recruits other seemingly healthy tau and causes it to misfold and clump.

Water's Hidden Shape Reveals the Trigger Point That Spreads Dementia

Northwestern University researchers have identified a single water-defined hotspot on tau proteins that drives the misfolding cascade behind Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia, offering a precise new target for drugs and diagnostics.