This is how scientists hope to slow down Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s is the most common dementia disease and affects approximately 20,000–25,000 Swedes each year, writes Hjärnfonden. The disease causes nerve cells in the brain to be destroyed and there are several theories why this happens.

A leading theory focuses on plaque formation, which means that plaques form and clump together at the nerve fibers, which are made up of beta-amyloid.

Microglia, the brain’s immune cells and “cleaning workers”, play a crucial role in clearing amyloid plaques and cellular debris. These cells are activated in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and can either drive or slow down the development of the disease.

In a new study, published in Science Translational Medicine, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis, USA, investigated how microglia are controlled at the cellular level, and how this control changes when suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers studied in particular a receptor, LILRB4, which sits on the surface of microglial cells and acts as an off switch for microglial activity.

By studying the brain tissue of Alzheimer’s patients, the researchers discovered high levels of the LILRB4 receptor. Studies in mice further showed that the receptor interfered with the brain’s cleaning workers, allowing abnormal proteins to build up in the mice’s brains.

Promising find

When the researchers blocked LILRB4, the mice’s microglia functioned again and levels of the abnormal protein decreased. This coincided with improved cognitive ability, such as the ability to solve a simple maze.

More studies are needed, but these new findings increase the possibilities of developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, writes Newsweek.

Read more:

Here are risk factors for Alzheimer’s

Research: This can trigger Alzheimer’s