Clemson Department of Physics and Astronomy Professor, Feng Ding, and his international collaborators “have discovered a cause of blood vessel damage in the brain that plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia.”
Clemson University researcher Feng Ding and his collaborators have identified a mechanism behind blood vessel damage in the brain that contributes to Alzheimer’s-related dementia. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, shed light on how amyloid beta oligomers—byproducts of amyloid precursor protein—damage the blood-brain barrier. This disruption allows amyloid plaques to form on blood vessel surfaces, a condition present in 95% of Alzheimer’s patients.
The study reveals that amyloid beta oligomers break into nanoparticles that compromise endothelial cell junctions, creating holes in the blood-brain barrier. This damage not only affects neuronal function but also causes extensive vascular harm, offering a potential target for new Alzheimer’s therapies. The research, supported by NIH, provides critical insights into the interplay between amyloid aggregation, vascular health, and neurodegeneration.
Credit: David Brandin
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Research reveals cause of vascular changes associated with early Alzheimer’s | Clemson News
