Study: Alzheimer's Tau Protein Is Made Directly in Dendrites

Research from Columbia University published in Nature Neuroscience found that tau is synthesized in dendrites rather than migrating there from axons. About one-third of newly made tau is destroyed by neuroproteasomes within minutes, reshaping views of early Alzheimer's pathology.

• Tau is synthesized solely in neuronal dendrites
• About one-third of new tau is destroyed within minutes
• Neuroproteasomes sit next to tau-producing ribosomes
• Findings challenge the long-held tau redistribution model