Paper Alert: Lipid Droplet-Filled Microglia Harm the Brain
These oily microglia resemble the foamy macrophages seen in atherosclerotic plaques. They correlate with aging, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disease.
NEWS
Human and Mouse Microglia React Differently to Amyloid
Single-nucleus transcriptomics of postmortem AD brain and mouse models of amyloidosis hammers home the species-specific responses of microglia to Aβ pathology.
Vascular Dysfunction Taxes Cognition, but Not Via Amyloid, AD
Three studies found no link between vascular disease and cerebral amyloidosis.
Could New Glutamate Receptor Activators Treat Alzheimer’s?
Positive allosteric modulators improve learning and memory in mouse models of AD and epilepsy.
Does Tau Kill Neurons by Way of Necroptosis?
In Alzheimer’s brain, granulovacuolar bodies in neurons harbor activated necrosomes. They correlate with tau pathology and neuron loss, raising new questions about how neurons die in this disease.
Attack of the Clones? Memory CD8+ T Cells Stalk the AD, PD Brain
The cells are primed to attack. Their targets include Epstein-Barr virus peptides.
Tangle Density Foretells How Fast a Person’s Brain Will Shrink
In early Alzheimer’s disease, the pattern of tau deposition also strongly predicts areas destined for subsequent degeneration.
CTAD Lessons for 2020: More Phase 2 Trials, More Diversity
Besides further broadening the Alzheimer’s therapeutic pipeline, researchers urge a return to Phase 2, using artificial intelligence tools to streamline aspects of trials.
Virtual Exhibit Hall
Alzforum encourages users to visit the Virtual Exhibit Hall, where companies showcase their newest initiatives, products, and services. We welcome F. Hoffmann-La Roche, joining our other exhibitors — Biogen, BioLegend, Dash Genomics, Inc., Abcam, BrainXell, and the Jackson Laboratory.
SPOTLIGHT
Human and Mouse Microglia React Differently to Amyloid
A new single-nucleus transcriptomic analysis confirms that microglial responses to amyloid vary by species. In mice, the cells dial down homeostatic genes and boost a disease-associated microglial signature, aka DAM. In AD brain, microglia turn up homeostatic genes and other AD genes such as SORL1. In both cases, however, mutation or loss of TREM2 weakens the microglial response, highlighting the critical role of this receptor.
Expanded T Cells: Executioners in the Alzheimer’s Brain?
Gangs of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells were found roving the cerebrospinal fluid and brains of people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The cells appeared to be doing more than merely passing through. They had multiplied, which is evidence that they were responding to specific antigens. The identity of most of those antigens remains a mystery, but some T cells recognized Epstein-Barr virus peptides.
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