Researchers identify new Alzheimer's treatment target: axonal spheroids

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have shifted focus from amyloid plaques to axonal spheroids in Alzheimer's disease. They published findings on March 10, revealing that these bubble-like structures block electrical signals in neurons and may be a key target for treatment. The team identified proteins within axonal spheroids and discovered that blocking the mTOR signaling pathway reduced their size. This approach was tested in both human and mouse brain tissues, showing potential for reversing spheroid growth. The study suggests that targeting axonal spheroids could lead to new therapies for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers plan to explore additional pathways to further understand and prevent spheroid formation.