First success for an Alzheimer's vaccine 💉

A team of researchers has developed a vaccine targeting the tau protein, associated with Alzheimer's disease, showing robust immune responses in mice and non-human primates. Encouraged by these promising results, they are now seeking funding to launch human clinical trials.

Scientists at the University of New Mexico have created an innovative vaccine aimed at preventing the accumulation of pathological tau protein. This breakthrough could mark a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, with human trials anticipated in the near future.


The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, details how the vaccine triggered a significant immune response. The researchers used a pseudo-viral particle platform, a technology already proven for its safety and efficacy.

The tau protein plays a crucial role in stabilizing neurons. However, when it undergoes phosphorylation, it becomes pathological, contributing to the formation of the characteristic tangles seen in Alzheimer's disease. The vaccine specifically targets this altered form of the protein.

Unlike current treatments that focus on beta-amyloid protein, this approach could offer a more effective alternative. Preliminary results in non-human primates are particularly promising, suggesting a possible successful transition to humans.

Collaboration with the University of California, Davis, was essential in validating the vaccine's effectiveness. The primates, whose immune systems are closer to humans, showed a durable and robust immune response.

The researchers now plan to test the vaccine in humans, hoping to slow or even prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease. This critical step will require additional funding and rigorous validation of the results.

What is the tau protein and its role in Alzheimer's disease?

The tau protein is essential for the proper functioning of neurons, ensuring the stability of microtubules that transport nutrients and signals through nerve cells. In Alzheimer's disease, this protein undergoes chemical modifications, particularly excessive phosphorylation, which makes it dysfunctional.

These modifications lead to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, aggregates of tau protein that disrupt neuronal communication and lead to cell death. These tangles are a key pathological marker of Alzheimer's disease, correlated with the progression of cognitive symptoms.

Unlike amyloid plaques, which form outside neurons, tau tangles develop inside cells, making them more difficult to target therapeutically. Researchers believe that interventions to prevent or reverse these aggregates could have a significant impact on the course of the disease.

Recent advances in understanding the biology of the tau protein are opening new avenues for treatment development. Among these, vaccines and therapeutic antibodies represent promising strategies to specifically target pathological forms of tau.