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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.08.24.746580

SorCS1 promotes synaptic and cognitive resilience despite amyloid pathology in Alzheimer's disease model mice

Yi, N.·Lee, A. K.·Bourojeni, F. B.·Wang, M.·Inagaki, M.·Takahashi, H.
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Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) lacks effective therapies despite extensive efforts targeting amyloid {beta} (A{beta}) and its precursor processing. Synapse loss is the strongest correlate of cognitive decline, driven partly by A{beta} oligomers (A{beta}Os), which bind multiple synaptic membrane proteins including the synaptic organizer neurexin and disrupt synaptic integrity and function. The protein sorting receptor SorCS1 blocks interactions between A{beta}Os and {beta}-isoforms of neurexins ({beta}-Nrxns), but its therapeutic relevance in vivo remains unclear. Using 5xFAD mice, which overproduce A{beta}Os, combined with forebrain specific neuronal SorCS1 overexpression, we show that SorCS1 preserves working memory, synaptic integrity, and basal excitatory transmission without altering amyloid deposition, in part by restoring synaptic {beta}-Nrxn expression. SorCS1 also reduces tau hyperphosphorylation in 5xFAD synaptosomes and binds the tau kinase GSK3{beta}. These results identify SorCS1 as an AD resilience promoting factor that maintains synaptic connectivity and attenuates tau pathology, revealing a therapeutic strategy that operates independently of amyloid reduction.

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Yi, N., Lee, A. K., Bourojeni, F. B., Wang, M., Inagaki, M., Takahashi, H.. 2026-08-27. SorCS1 promotes synaptic and cognitive resilience despite amyloid pathology in Alzheimer's disease model mice. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.24.746580

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