New Protein Linked to Alzheimer's Disease Progression

Researchers have identified ganglioside GM2 activator (GM2A) protein’s ability to reduce neuronal firing and induce a loss of neurite integrity. These protein characteristics contribute to the cause and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ongoing research is focused on two key neurotoxic proteins: amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau. While these proteins have been shown to be associated with AD, for some people with the disease, the levels of Aβ and tau do not consistently explain or correlate with the severity of cognitive decline.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Fresh Insights

To identify other proteins that may be directly involved with fundamental aspects of AD, like synaptic loss and neurodegeneration, investigators at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, exposed laboratory neurons to human brain extracts from about 40 people who either had AD, were protected from AD despite having high Aβ and tau levels, or were protected from AD with little or no Aβ and tau in their brains.

“Interestingly, GM2A has been previously implicated as a causative agent in a lysosomal storage disorder very similar to Tay-Sachs disease, another condition like AD that destroys neurons,” said senior author Tracy Young-Pearse, PhD, from the Department of Neurology.

Source-Eurekalert