July 23, 2026 – Tau proteins are essential for life in supporting the neuronic architecture of our brains. Researchers are realizing that tau has a role in the advancement of neurological degenerative diseases when the proteins start to misfold. Amyloid plaque buildup can be somewhat benign until tau entangles it and can accelerate memory loss and cognitive decline. As we age, the brain is less efficient in removing the sticky mess. For a long time, researchers have not discovered how to reduce amyloid plaque buildup. Now, some researchers are focusing instead on treatment to either delay tau misfolding or reduce amyloid twisting.
What Causes Tau Proteins to Misfold?
Beyond aging and genetics, researchers are observing more neurological misfires (or stresses) such as memory loss during times of heat waves, exposure to polluted air (e.g., smoke from wildfires), and dehydration. It has been intensely hot and smoky for many parts of the USA this summer that likely have contributed to progression of neurological decline in certain individuals.
Epigenetics and aging as well as extreme environmental conditions can cause unfolding of the sticky tau proteins to wrap around amyloid plaque, making it more difficult for the brain to cleanse itself.
The Challenge of Drug Transport to the Brain
It is likely that any FDA-approved drug for protection against tau protein misfolding will be either a spinal injection (ouch!) or artery injection near the brain that “tricks” the brain to open the blood-brain barrier (BBB). There are a variety of mechanisms and here are a few:
Infuse a water-soluble drug combined with an essential nutrient (e.g., iron) that the endothelial barrier cells mistake as a needed nutrient for the brain.
Infuse a water-soluble drug combined with high amount of glucose causing through osmosis for the cells to become dehydrated (or shrink in size) and temporarily opening gaps in the BBB for the transport of the drug until the cells rehydrate to reclose the BBB.
Since the exterior of the endothelial cells of the BBB is fat-soluble, hide the medicine within biocompatible lipids (fats) that dissolves undetected across the cellular membranes.
Infuse a water-soluble medication with microscopic gas bubbles and physicians target with low-intensity ultrasound wave for the gas bubbles to rapidly vibrate, causing temporary microscopic tears in the BBB that let the water-soluble drug pass through to the brain.
What is Potentially the Least Disruptive Method for Drug Delivery?
Although not currently used as a pathway for delivering conventional medications, the brain has a fast-track process for pure water passing the BBB. These structures, called aquaporian water channels, allow the brain to stay hydrated. Substances such as drugs have larger molecules which are detected by the BBB.
For future advances in pharmaceutical science, we think Watt-Ahh should be tested as part of drug delivery research that is more harmonious with the brain’s natural transport systems. Both the compact structure and electronic nature of Watt-Ahh, that can easily dissolve and stabilize micro dosage substances, may become a more passive (and less intrusive) transport process into the brain to treat neurological tissue.
Degenerative brain diseases are projected to impact even more seniors in the near future. It is an aging challenge that might be solved with the right formula dissolved in electrically-activated water and perhaps could become a preventative supplement or nasal spray that is more affordable for many people at neurological risk, all subject of course to the approval of the FDA.
Now that is a Tau Dream!