Amyloid-β and Tau Cause Measurable Loss of Brain Function Prior to Evident Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Evidence suggests that the development of Alzheimer’s disease may begin long before symptoms appear. A study involving individuals with a familial history of Alzheimer’s revealed that the presence of amyloid-β and tau proteins in the brain is associated with cognitive decline even before the disease is clinically evident. Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to detect these proteins and found that their presence correlates with changes in brain activity. This discovery highlights the potential for early detection and intervention in Alzheimer’s disease.
Amyloid-β and tau proteins are known to be key players in Alzheimer’s disease. A study involving 104 individuals with a family history of the disease utilized brain imaging technology to track the presence of these proteins and assess their impact on brain function. The results indicated that regions of the brain with higher levels of amyloid-β exhibited increased brain activity, which later shifted to decreased activity when tau was also present. These changes in brain activity were associated with impairment in attention and memory, suggesting that the interaction between amyloid-β and tau contributes to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. Future research will focus on monitoring these individuals over time to further understand the progression of the disease.
