Newly Discovered Brain Cells Offer Hope in Alzheimer’s Fight

Scientists have identified a crucial role for tanycytes, specialized brain cells, in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, potentially opening new avenues for treatment. These cells, which act as a pathway for clearing toxic proteins from the brain, appear to malfunction in individuals with Alzheimer’s, leading to the buildup of tau proteins – a hallmark of the disease.

What are Tanycytes?

Tanycytes are unique brain cells located in the third ventricle, positioned between the bloodstream and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This strategic location allows them to bypass the blood-brain barrier, facilitating the movement of molecules both into and out of the brain. As Vincent Prévot, a neuroendocrinologist at Inserm, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, describes them, “Tanycytes are highways for the brain.”

How Tanycytes Impact Alzheimer’s Disease

Research, led by Vincent Prévot and his team at the Lille Neuroscience & Cognition Research Center (Inserm), has revealed that tanycytes are responsible for transporting tau proteins from the CSF into the bloodstream. This discovery, published in the journal Cell Press Blue, marks the first time this outward transport function of tanycytes has been demonstrated.

In healthy individuals, tau proteins help maintain the structure of brain cells. However, in Alzheimer’s disease, these proteins become “sticky,” forming clumps that disrupt brain function and lead to neuron death, particularly in regions responsible for memory. The study found that in Alzheimer’s patients, the structure of tanycytes is degraded, hindering their ability to effectively clear tau proteins.

Research Findings

• Tau Protein Transport: Tanycytes actively transport tau proteins from the cerebrospinal fluid into the bloodstream.
• Tanycyte Dysfunction: The structure of tanycytes is compromised in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
• Animal and Human Studies: The involvement of tanycytes in tau protein transport was demonstrated in both animal models and human subjects.

Implications for Future Treatment

These findings suggest that focusing on maintaining tanycyte health could be a promising therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease. Improving tau clearance by supporting tanycyte function may help slow disease progression. “Our findings reveal a previously underappreciated, disease-relevant role for tanycytes in neurodegeneration,” says Vincent Prevot of INSERM in France.

Alzheimer’s Disease Overview

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting approximately 900,000 people in France, particularly those over 65. It is characterized by progressive memory impairment, decline in executive function, and impaired spatial orientation. The disease is caused by the slow degeneration of neurons, beginning in the hippocampus and spreading throughout the brain. Diagnosis often involves measuring tau protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid.