Spatiotemporal characterization of Alzheimer disease pathology in living human brain tissue.

Small brain biopsies during shunt surgery reveal amyloid plaques and tau dynamics in living human brains, with tau turnover estimated at about 34 days.

• Why it matters: Understanding early Alzheimer disease pathology in living patients is crucial, as most studies rely on post-mortem or indirect biomarkers, limiting insight into disease progression and potential interventions.
• What they did: Researchers analyzed biopsies from 18 individuals using mass spectrometry imaging and stable isotope labeling to map amyloid and tau protein changes, including tau turnover rates.
• The result: Findings show amyloid plaques are relatively stable, while tau proteins are rapidly labeled within hours, enabling better understanding of disease mechanisms and potential targets for early intervention.