New research shows that the tau protein, long associated with Alzheimer's disease, plays a vital role in creating durable long-term memories. The mouse study reveals how tau organizes brain cells to retain experiences over time. Findings could influence future dementia research.
A study led by Flinders University, in collaboration with the University of New South Wales and Macquarie University, found that tau helps select and stabilize engram cells during memory formation. The work, published in Nature Communications, focused on remote memories recalled days or weeks later.
Senior author Associate Professor Arne Ittner explained the results. "Why some memories last while others fade has long puzzled scientists and our study shows that tau plays a key role in how the brain forms long-lasting memories," he said. Without tau, memories form initially but weaken over time.
Lead author Renée Kosonen noted that tau reduces background brain activity during learning. This process involves a normal chemical change called phosphorylation. Abnormal tau, as seen in Alzheimer's, disrupts both memory creation and recall.
Researchers stressed that the mouse findings cannot yet be applied directly to humans. Future studies are planned to explore implications for dementia treatments.
