A select group of microtubule-associated proteins which interact with a protein in the brain could be used in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related conditions, new research suggests.

Staff from the Centre for Molecular Neurobiology at Ohio State University have found that these compounds interact in three specific ways with the tau protein, which - in a healthy brain - binds to and stabilises structures within the organ that are needed for normal functioning.

Tau protein which break away from such structures can form strands called filaments, which, when tangled, are a sign of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Scientists are observing three possible outcomes of tau protein breaking away - binding to protein filaments, inhibit such filaments from developing or drive tau proteins to form filaments.

"It's important now to find compounds that can be used in imaging because the earlier clinicians can detect the disease, the better the chances are that a drug will halt disease progression while patients still have strong cognitive abilities," comments postdoctoral researcher Nicolette Honson.

Any clinical use of the compounds will require years of additional research, as the interactions have been observed in test tubes and cell cultures.

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