Dissolving Tau Precursor Clusters Could Stop Alzheimer’s

Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University found that tau proteins first assemble into reversible precursor clusters before forming harmful fibrils in Alzheimer's disease. By applying polymer-physics concepts and tweaking salt levels in the presence of heparin, they dissolved these clusters, preventing fibril formation. This suggests a new therapeutic direction focused on the early, reversible tau clusters rather than mature fibrils, with potential implications for other neurodegenerative diseases.