Protein tangles in Alzheimer's patients could help predict brain shrinkage

Research suggests tangles of tau could be used to predict how much shrinkage will occur and where

Tangles of a protein found inside the brain cells of people with Alzheimer's disease can be used to predict future brain shrinkage, research suggests.

In healthy people, a protein called tau is important in supporting the internal structure of brain cells. However, in those with Alzheimer's, chemical changes take place that cause the protein to form tangles that disrupt the cells. Such tangles have previously been linked to a loss of brain cells.