Scientists Employ Living Human Brain Tissue to Reveal Alzheimer’s Secrets

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have used living human brain tissue to uncover how a toxic form of amyloid beta protein damages synaptic connections, a key factor in Alzheimer’s disease, SciTech Daily reported.

Using brain samples obtained during neurosurgery, the team exposed the tissue to amyloid beta and observed that the toxic variant prevented repair of damaged synapses. They found that even slight changes in amyloid beta levels disrupt brain cell function, highlighting the need for a precise balance.

The study also revealed that brain slices from the temporal lobe released higher levels of tau protein, which may explain early vulnerability in Alzheimer’s. Some samples showed early signs of the disease, such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

This innovative approach, supported by the James Dyson Foundation and Race Against Dementia, allows testing of potential drugs on living human brain cells, accelerating Alzheimer’s research. The findings were published in Nature Communications and offer hope for developing treatments to protect synapses and slow cognitive decline.