Spin Science: A New Frontier in Alzheimer's Research

Israeli scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking physical mechanism that may impact Alzheimer's disease progression, offering fresh treatment prospects for neurodegenerative conditions. The study reveals that magnetic field orientation on surfaces influences amyloid-beta proteins' assembly, a key factor in Alzheimer's disease.

The research, spearheaded by Yael Kapon at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, under Prof. Yossi Paltiel with Tel Aviv University's Prof. Ehud Gazit, highlights that the electron spin orientation affects amyloid fibrils' formation. This study, published in ACS Nano, suggests a significant role of spin in biology, previously underestimated.

The findings show that proteins aggregate based on the spin direction of electrons aligned by the magnetic field, impacting amyloid-beta's formation. When surfaces were magnetized in varied directions, fibrils doubled in quantity with longer lengths. Known as Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity (CISS), this phenomenon indicates proteins with specific 'handedness' interact with electron spins differently, adding a physical angle to understanding amyloid formation.

Utilizing electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, the study found fibrils varied in molecular arrangement depending on electron spin orientation. These insights propose spin polarization as a controllable factor in preventing Alzheimer's-linked amyloid structures. Though in early stages, this study could aid future applications like spin-polarized nanoparticles, offering potential breakthroughs in Alzheimer's treatment.

(With inputs from agencies.)