Aberrant Networks in Alzheimer’s Tied to Herpes Viruses
Big data analyses correlate viral load with clinical, molecular, and pathological features of AD. Time to consider the pathogen hypothesis anew?
NEWS
Blood Pressure Affects Dementia Risk Only in People Under 60
A large epidemiological study better defines the risk from hypertension. This may sharpen recommendations for prevention.
In Human Neurons, ApoE4 Promotes Aβ Production and Tau Phosphorylation
Two papers report that the ApoE4 allele triggers both hallmarks of AD in iPSC-derived cultures, in contrast to its minimal effects in mouse neurons.
Synaptojanin 1 Gene Affects Age of Onset in Familial AD, Memory in Mice
Overexpression of synaptojanin 1 leads to hippocampal place cell dysfunction in mice. Could it contribute to memory problems in AD?
For One in Four Memory Clinic Patients, Amyloid-PET Changes the Diagnosis
In an unselected cohort, amyloid-PET scans changed clinical diagnoses and treatment plans for a quarter of participants.
Does Taming Killer Astrocytes Spare Neurons in Parkinson’s Disease?
Study suggests a diabetes drug under investigation for both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases acts by quieting microglia and shutting down the pathological activation of astrocytes.
Scratch Lanabecestat: This BACE Inhibitor Doesn’t Work in Symptomatic AD, Either
After veru- and atabecestat, now a third β-secretase inhibitor, by Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca, is being pulled from ongoing Phase 3 trials of symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
Dipeptide Repeats May Hobble Ribosomes in C9ORF72-FTD Patient Brain
Though the dipeptides interacted with many proteins in cell culture, they associated specifically with ribosomes in the human brain.
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SPOTLIGHT
Aberrant Networks in Alzheimer’s Tied to Herpes Viruses
A large-scale analysis of data from several different brain banks reports that herpesviruses are more abundant in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, and suggests that they perturb regulatory genetic networks involved in the preclinical pathogenesis of the disease. The study brings a new group of scientists and new methodologies to bear on the controversial hypothesis that viruses are involved in some cases of Alzheimer's disease. Is it time to consider clinical trials of antiviral drugs?
Does Diabetes Drug Throttle Killer Astrocytes?
Recent work suggests that normally neuroprotective astrocytes can be transformed into dangerous killers, thanks to inflammatory cytokines produced by activated microglia. A new study suggests these astrocytes are responsible for neuronal cell death in two mouse models of Parkinson’s disease, and that they can be quieted by a class of diabetes drugs now in clinical trials for PD and AD.
As RNA Therapies Come of Age, Efficacy Remains Weak
Will RNA molecules that bump up or tamp down gene expression live up to their potential? Results from RNA-targeting therapies presented at the 70th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Los Angeles suggest children with spinocerebellar ataxia continue to improve years after starting approved treatments. However, prices are high and so far, health gains are modest. Will similar approaches for Huntington’s disease, ALS, familial amyloid polyneuropathy, and tauopathies fare better? Check out our two-part story.
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