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New study on how Alzheimer's spreads in the brain

By PAT BATTLE, NBC News

Story Created: Feb 7, 2012 at 3:06 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 7, 2012 at 3:17 PM EDT

A new study has uncovered how Alzheimer's spreads in the brain.

These findings may mean it's possible to stop the disease, welcome news for the estimated five and a half million people that have Alzheimer's.

Researchers have discovered that a distorted protein called Tau found in the area of the brain where memories are created actually spreads to other areas of the brain cell by cell.

If they can halt that progression, they may be able to halt the disease.
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