SORLA Protein Shows Promise in Protecting Against Tau Tangles in Alzheimer's Research
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have discovered that the protein SORLA may offer protection against the harmful effects of tau tangles, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. In a study published in Science Advances, the team led by Timothy Huang, PhD, demonstrated that overexpression of SORLA in a mouse model reduced tau hyperphosphorylation, synaptic loss, and glial hyperactivation. These findings suggest that SORLA could be a potential therapeutic target for treating tauopathies, which are characterized by the accumulation of tau proteins that disrupt neuronal circuits. The study involved crossbreeding mice to produce extra human SORLA protein, which showed a protective effect against tau-related damage.