In a major step forward in Alzheimer’s research, scientists in the UK have developed a new way to study the disease using live human brain tissue. This new model lets researchers see in real time how Alzheimer’s harms the brain. It also allows them to test drugs more accurately. This work could lead to faster treatment development and better ways to prevent brain damage in people with Alzheimer’s.
Using Human Brain Tissue to Study Alzheimer’s
The brain samples came from cancer patients who were undergoing brain surgery at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. During the surgery, doctors removed some healthy brain tissue to get to the tumors. Normally, this healthy tissue would be thrown away. But with permission from the patients, the scientists were allowed to take it for research.
After removing the samples, doctors placed them in a special liquid that mimics spinal fluid and helps keep the tissue alive. The samples were then taken to a lab where they were cut into very thin slices and kept warm, just like they would be in the body.
Seeing the Effects of Alzheimer’s in Real Time
The team then exposed the brain tissue to a harmful type of amyloid beta. This protein builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. It is known to cause damage to the connections between brain cells, called synapses.
Dr. Claire Durrant from the University of Edinburgh led the study. She and her team saw how the toxic amyloid beta damaged brain cells and blocked their ability to repair themselves. Even small changes in the levels of amyloid beta caused problems. This shows that the brain needs just the right amount of this protein to work well.
Tau Protein Also Plays a Role
The researchers looked at samples from the temporal lobe of the brain. This is an area that is often one of the first to be affected by Alzheimer’s. These samples released a protein called tau, which is also known to play a role in the disease. This might help explain why the temporal lobe is so vulnerable in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
Why This New Method Matters
Before now, many Alzheimer’s studies were done using animals or artificial models. These can be helpful, but they don’t fully show how the disease works in real people. By using live human brain tissue, scientists can get a clearer picture of what actually happens in the brain during the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
This method also helps researchers find out if a drug really works. Since the tissue is alive, they can see right away how it reacts to treatment. This could save time and money and lead to better results.
Support from Major Organizations
The research was funded by Race Against Dementia, a charity set up by Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart. It also received £1 million in support from the James Dyson Foundation. James Dyson, known for his innovative work in technology, called the research method “groundbreaking” and said it could change the way we fight Alzheimer’s.
Prof. Tara Spires-Jones, a top scientist at the UK Dementia Research Institute, praised the project. She said that using real human brain tissue gives scientists a better way to understand the disease and test new treatments.
Hopes for the Future
Dr. Durrant said the next step is to use this new model to find drugs that can protect the brain. She hopes the method will speed up the search for effective treatments.
Alzheimer’s affects millions of people worldwide. It causes memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior. There is no cure yet, and current treatments only help with symptoms. By using real human tissue, this new research gives hope that better treatments may be on the way.
This new method of using live human brain tissue is a big step forward in Alzheimer’s research. It lets scientists see exactly how the disease damages the brain and test treatments more effectively. With strong support from charities and donors, the researchers hope their work will lead to better care and possibly a cure in the future.