Alzheimer’s researchers have traditionally looked at 2 proteins (amyloid-beta & Tau) separately – looking at their interaction yields better understanding of alzheimers

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130619102806.htm

 Reddy's paper suggests that when the interaction between the phosphorylated tau and the amyloid-beta -- particularly in its toxic form -- happens at brain synapses, it can damage those synapses. And that can lead to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.

"This complex formation between amyloid-beta and tau -- it is actually blocking the neural communication," Reddy said. "If we could somehow find a molecule that could inhibit the binding of these two proteins at the synapses, that very well might be the cure to Alzheimer's disease."

"So much Alzheimer's research has been done to look at amyloid-beta and tau," Reddy said. "But ours is the first paper to strongly demonstrate that yes, there is an amyloid-beta/phosphorylated tau interaction. And that interaction might be causing the synaptic damage and cognitive decline in persons with Alzheimer's disease."

Reddy and his lab are already working on the next crucial questions. One is to define the binding site or sites and exactly where within the neuron the interaction of amyloid-beta and tau first occurs. The second is to find a way to inhibit that interaction -- and thus maybe prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer's.