Dementia: Study finds the ‘critical factor’ for developing Alzheimer’s disease is tau

Using mice, the researchers looked at 20 different changes in tau and 12 enzymes, focussing on the most abundant type of change seen in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

The study indeed discovered that one change in tau makes it easier for another change to occur.

The study was also able to pinpoint “master sites” in tau, explaining they are specific spots that govern subsequent modifications.

The team now wants to explore how its findings can be turned into a treatment.

Study lead author Dr Kristie Stefanoska said: “We have shown that this new concept has therapeutic potential, but future work is needed to understand the role of these master sites in health and disease.