Scientists at Flinders University in Australia have published research identifying a role for the tau protein in organizing and stabilizing long-lasting memories. The study, published in Nature Communications, was conducted using mouse models.
The Essential Role of Tau
The research found that tau protein is essential for organizing and stabilizing memories so that they persist over time.
According to a statement from Flinders University released Monday, tau is not required for initial learning or short-term recall. Without tau, memories could still form but were weaker and less durable, said Associate Professor Arne Ittner, the study's senior author.
How It Works
Tau helps organize "engram cells" —specialized neurons that form the physical trace of memories—during the critical encoding window, helping determine which cells are selected to store a memory.
The study also found that tau helps prevent excess or "noise" activity in the brain, ensuring only specific cells are recruited to store a memory, resulting in clearer, more stable memories.
A Key Chemical Mechanism
A subtle chemical modification of tau, called phosphorylation, was identified as a key mechanism that coordinates engram cell activity. While abnormal tau phosphorylation is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, the study shows that controlled, low-level phosphorylation is essential for normal brain function.
Implications for Alzheimer's Research
Researchers said disease-associated forms of tau interfered with both new memory formation and recall, suggesting that dementia-related memory loss may arise from impaired organization and retrieval rather than memory storage alone.