Viral Proteins Help Shuttle Tau Aggregates Among Cells
The SARS-CoV2 spike and other viral glycoproteins promote the transmission of proteopathic seeds carried by extracellular vesicles.
NEWS
AD Researchers Elected to National Academy of Medicine
The academy elected 90 new members. Five are well-known for their contributions to the field of neurodegenerative diseases.
Antisense ALS Drug Nudges Outcomes, But Misses Primary
In a tiny Phase 3 trial of the ASO tofersen, a neurodegeneration marker changed in the right direction. Trends on other endpoints favored drug. Still, the trial was negative. Next steps for tofersen remain up in the air.
Intruder Alert: Inflammatory T Cells Lurk Near Lewy Bodies, Neurons
In Lewy body dementia brain tissue, CD4+ T cells loitered near synuclein aggregates and dopaminergic neurons. In vitro, T cells reacted to α-synuclein fragments by spewing the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 17A.
Aduhelm Administration Remains a Trickle, ARIA a Concern
An analysis suggests most Medicare beneficiaries have medical conditions that would disqualify them from using the new drug; this may further limit its clinical rollout.
Lecanemab Follows Aduhelm’s Path to Accelerated Approval
Eisai/Biogen file for accelerated approval of lecanemab based on Phase 2 data. Eli Lilly likely to do the same for donanemab this year.
Even In the Healthy, ApoE4 Stirs Up Trouble, Scientists Say
The AD risk allele steers microglia toward an inflammatory state long before plaques or tangles emerge.
What FDG PET ‘Sees’ in AD: Angry Microglia, Not Just Neurons
A new study reports that activated microglia soak up glucose, and may be responsible for the elevated FDG PET signal seen in early Alzheimer's disease. Mouse microglia used 28 times more FDG than did neurons.
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, Abcam, BrainXell, and the Jackson Laboratory.
SPOTLIGHT
Can an Old Diuretic Drug Disarm APOE4, Prevent Alzheimer’s?
Repurposing FDA-approved drugs for Alzheimer’s disease—an old dream for researchers—now has led them to an unlikely candidate. The diuretic bumetanide, a commonly prescribed drug, reverses an ApoE4-specific transcriptomic signature in human and mouse neurons. Bumetanide reduced the number of amyloid plaques in APOE4 knock-in mice, strengthened synapses, and improved memory. Intriguingly, electronic health records revealed that older people taking the drug for edema were less likely to have AD. Researchers are planning a clinical trial in AD.
Microglial Activity Boosts FDG PET Signal in Alzheimer’s Disease
FDG PET is a measure of neuronal activity, right? The reality is more complicated—and interesting. A new study finds most of the elevated FDG signal in mouse models of amyloidosis actually comes from activated microglia. In AD brain, too, the known early bump in FDG seems to reflect neuroinflammation, while the later crash reflects neuronal death. These findings may help researchers better interpret FDG PET results, and suggest the scans could help track changes in microglial states.
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