Before we can develop treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, we need to understand how they begin and develop in the brain. A newly discovered chemical pathway may provide some clues.
Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the University of Washington, and the Allen Institute for Brain Science have discovered a previously unknown way that immune cells are destroyed in Alzheimer’s disease and the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. . vascular dementia (Dementia associated with insufficient blood flow to the brain).
“We’ve missed key cell deaths in Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.” To tell neuroscientist Stephen Buck from OHSU; “We haven’t paid much attention to microglia as vulnerable cells, and white matter damage in the brain has received relatively little attention.”
By studying postmortem brain tissue from dementia patients, researchers discovered a chain reaction of events that caused damage to the “white matter” bridges that connect different parts of the brain.
Then it begins myelin, forming a protective sheath to protect neurons and allow them to communicate more efficiently. As the myelin layer wears away due to factors such as aging and high blood pressure, it is removed from the brain by immune cells called . microglia.
The researchers found that microglial cells themselves are also destroyed as they clear out damaged myelin, perhaps by overdosing on iron, which is found in large amounts within white matter. In effect, microglial immune cells are dying on their job to keep the brain safe, scientists say.
“We all know that microglia are activated to mediate inflammation.” To tell return. “But no one knew they were dying in such large numbers. It’s really amazing that we’ve missed this before.”
The cascading effects of microglial death and white matter degeneration appear to contribute to the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, according to a new study, but more research is needed to know for sure. That’s what it means.
We now know more about this microglial degeneration, and may be able to develop drugs and treatments to address it. Perhaps it could help slow or block cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases.
“That’s where the next site is going.” To tell return. “Discoveries like ours will bring great excitement to the pharmaceutical industry for the development of therapeutically important compounds.”
This study neurological chronicles.