Neurology

Mouse models suggest clearing senescent cells could help treat tau-mediated neurodegenerative diseases. In a mouse model of tauopathy expressing mutant human tau in neurons, systemic expression of a fusion human transgene based on the senescent cell marker CDKN2A plus a tool compound that selectively eliminates transgene-expressing cells increased neuron density in the hippocampus and short-term memory and decreased tau aggregation in the whole brain and cortex and neurofibrillary tangles in the hippocampus compared with transgene expression plus vehicle. Also in the model, the senolytic compound navitoclax decreased tau aggregation. Next steps by Unity Biotechnology Inc. could include testing other senolytic compounds in additional animal models of tau-mediated neurodegenerative diseases...