The aging brain frequently harbors multiple protein pathologies that contribute to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. But how do these problematic proteins interact with each other, and could these interactions inform future therapies?

Researchers at TGen, part of City of Hope, are answering some of these questions with the help of a unique mouse model that combines different mixtures of dementia-related proteins including amyloid-beta, alpha-synuclein and tau.

New research led by investigators at Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute has identified some of the gene mutations involved in this condition, which is often seen alongside autism and other developmental disorders. The findings are published in Science Translational Medicine.