Key form of tau protein identified for understanding and treating Alzheimer’s disease

A research team at the University of Cologne has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the role of the tau protein in Alzheimer’s disease. Using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the international team has been able to show that a specific form of the tau protein, known as the 1N4R isoform, is responsible for mediating the toxic effects of protein clumps in human brain cells.