Slice of life: how tiny samples of living human brain tissue are helping Alzheimer’s researchers
Over 770,000 Canadians are currently living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease as the most common cause, accounting for up to 80% of all cases.(2) At Vytality at Home, we provide exceptional home care experiences for those with dementia, and so take a keen interest in the latest dementia and Alzheimer’s research studies.
Alzheimer’s changes the brain’s ability to function properly due to plaques that block signals between nerve cells in the brain. These plaques are molecular clumps of a protein, amyloid beta (Aβ or A-beta), and their build-up contributes to dementia symptoms such as memory loss, cognitive decline, and difficulty with communication and everyday tasks.
Now scientists at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland have shown how the toxic form of this amyloid beta protein can stick to the brain cell connections and not be removed by the brain’s natural cleaning processes.(5)
By studying tiny slices of living human brain tissue, the team discovered that the brain tissue did not try to repair the damage caused by the protein. In addition, the study found that there is probably a “finely tuned sweet spot” in the levels of amyloid beta in the brain, and that:
“Even small changes in the natural levels of amyloid beta – either increasing or decreasing – were enough to disrupt brain cells.” (6)
Taking a slice
Perhaps one of the surprising parts of the study was that it was a collaboration between a researcher at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the human neuroscience laboratory at the University of Edinburgh.
Previous investigations into the proteins had been conducted on animal brain tissue, but instead the Edinburgh team used living human brain tissue. This was collected during routine neurosurgery where the tissue was already being removed as part of the procedure. The tiny tissue samples were then transported to the team’s lab and kept alive for several weeks in an incubator.
As the neurosurgeon responsible for collecting tissue, Paul Brennan, said:
“You’d be surprised sometimes by how much tissue we remove during an operation. It’s what the patient needs to have done, but we can take small parts of that and observe them. Even in the tiniest bit of tissue, there are still thousands of cells, and we can learn a lot about what is going on.”(1)
How our brain cleans itself
While we sleep, our brain operates what one article in Science described as a “rinse cycle”.
“Cerebrospinal fluid, the liquid bathing the brain, seeps through the organ via tiny passages alongside blood vessels, sweeping away metabolic refuse and other unwanted molecules. Fluid flow through this so-called glymphatic system ramps up during sleep.”
Home care for those with Alzheimer’s
At Vytality at Home, we provide home care for many people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. We are also major supporters of Gordie Howe Cares, a charity that provides education and support to family and professional caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. https://www.gordiehowecares.com
Exceptional dementia care in Calgary
If you or your loved one are living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other dementias, our home care services can provide the caring and practical assistance you need. Our caregivers can help you continue to live independently at home, for longer. We also offer respite care for family caregivers.
Contact us to discuss your requirements for dementia home care in Calgary, delivered by our exceptional caregivers.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician / health care provider if you have any questions about your health.
About the author
Nicole Dyer is Co-Founder & Co-President of Vytality at Home. She is a seasoned leader in senior living and healthcare operations, with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and growth in the sector. Nicole is a member of CPHR Alberta, and is an Ad Hoc Board Member and Administrator for Gordie Howe CARES, a charity working for the advancement of Alzheimer’s and dementia-related programming and events in Calgary.
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SOURCES:
(1) ITV News, Wednesday 30 April 2025 at 10:21 AM / Louise Scott, Scotland Reporter / Scientists discover how Alzheimer’s protein causes damage to the brain / https://www.itv.com/news/2025-04-30/scientists-discover-how-alzheimers-protein-causes-damage-to-the-brain
(2) https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/documents/What-is-Alzheimers-Disease-Alzheimer-Society-2024-MOBILE.pdf
(3) https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease / What is Alzheimer’s disease?
(4) 8 JAN 202511:00 AM BY MITCH LESLIE / Scientists uncover how the brain washes itself during sleep / Pulsating blood vessels push fluid into and out of the brains of slumbering mice / Science / https://www.science.org/content/article/scientists-uncover-how-brain-washes-itself-during-sleep
(5) McGeachan, R.I., Meftah, S., Taylor, L.W. et al. / “Divergent actions of physiological and pathological amyloid-β on synapses in live human brain slice cultures.” / Nature Communications 16, 3753 (2025). / https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58879-z
(6) Live brain cell test reveals protein role in Alzheimer’s / Novel study method offers insights into fundamental aspects of dementia condition. / https://vet.ed.ac.uk/news-events/2025/live-brain-cell-test-reveals-protein-role-in-alzheimers
