“In cultured neurons, we observed these nanotubes forming dynamically and confirmed that they possessed a distinct internal structure, setting them apart from other neuronal extensions.”<\/p>\n
Related: Scientists Identified Structural, Brain-Wide Changes During Menstruation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Neurons are well known for passing rapid messages to each other using synapses<\/a> to transmit both electrical and chemical information. Yet, other cell types<\/a> are known to use physically connecting bridging tubes to exchange molecules. Chang and team have just confirmed that a similar type of tube bridge occurs in neurons too, using advanced imaging and machine learning<\/a>.<\/p>\n The researchers observed the nanotubes transporting amyloid-beta molecules that they had injected into mouse brain cells. These molecules have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases<\/a> like Alzheimer’s<\/a>, where they tend to clump together abnormally.<\/p>\n When researchers stopped the bridges from forming, the amyloid-beta stopped spreading between cells, too, confirming that the nanotubes acted as direct conduits.<\/p>\n “Our computational model supported these findings, predicting that overactivation in the nanotube<\/a> network could accelerate the toxic accumulation of amyloid in specific neurons, thereby providing a mechanistic link between nanotube alterations and the progression of Alzheimer’s pathology,” the researchers explain<\/a>. But these tubes malfunctioning could also contribute to other diseases, so researchers are keen to learn more about the miniature bridges.<\/p>\n![\"Diagram](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/TinyTubularNeuronBridgesFoundDiagram.jpg\")
Dendritic nanotubes (DNTs) form direct conduits between neurons, transporting substances such as calcium and amyloid-beta (A\u03b2) (A). Alterations in this network are associated in pathological A\u03b2 accumulation (B). (Chang et al., Science, 2025)<\/p>\n![\"Mid](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Mid-Article-Promo-Astro-642x272.jpg\")
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This is very early on in the investigation process; given that the tubes are such a new discovery, we still don’t know what they naturally transport or even how often they form or function within the whole human brain.<\/p>\n