Rare brain study finds sharp divide between amyloid-cleared and untreated regions

A postmortem examination of an Alzheimer's trial participant's brain found that gyri cleared of amyloid plaques had little tau buildup, while neighboring sulci with remaining amyloid showed far more tau, inflammation and degeneration. The man received 30 doses of aducanumab over 4.5 years; findings were presented at AAIC 2026 and published in JAMA.

• Patient received 30 aducanumab doses over 4.5 years, died 4 years after last dose
• Amyloid-cleared gyri showed almost no accumulated tau
• Sulci with remaining amyloid had more tau, inflammation and tissue degeneration
• Findings presented at AAIC 2026 and published in JAMA