Brain tissue donor helps scientists discover how Alzheimer's protein damages neural connections
By
Iona Young
Tired, dry, slightly forgotten on the back of the tray.
Summary
Aidan McAllister donated healthy brain tissue during neurosurgery to help dementia research. Scientists used this tissue to demonstrate how a toxic protein linked to Alzheimer's damages synapses - the connections between brain cells. The discovery could lead to medications that prevent synapse loss and support healthy brain function.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe pioneering research Aidan donated his brain matter to has allowed scientists to show how a toxic form of a protein linked to Alzheimer's can attach to and damage the connections between brain cells.
The researchers hope the discovery will help identify medication that can prevent the loss of synapses - the vital connections that allow messages to flow between brain cells and support healthy brain function.
During neurosurgery, there is always a small amount of healthy brain tissue that must be removed in order to reach, for example, a tumour and typically tha
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