Introducing the Coarse-Grained Plaque—A New Type of Amyloid
Comprising mostly Aβ40, these large plaques are shot through with strange tubular structures and BBB markers. They are common in early onset AD.
NEWS
Nixing TMEM106b Fans the Flames of Progranulin Deficiency
Three studies agree that TMEM106b/progranulin double knockouts develop more extreme lysosomal dysfunction, inflammation, and motor deficits than PGRN KOs.
Protective AD Variant Pinpoints Sweet Spot for Microglial Activation
Phospholipase C-γ2 acts downstream of TREM2 to rev up beneficial inflammation, phagocytosis, and cell survival.
Could Contaminated Scalpels Seed Amyloidosis?
A panel of experts concludes the evidence for this scary prospect is weak, but recommends neurosurgeons use separate neurosurgical instruments for young and old patients. The experts called for further studies.
In Preclinical Alzheimer’s, Learning Falters Before Memory
Learning tests may prove more informative in clinical trials of early AD. A new one claims it can spot a difference in six days.
Mutation in the Parkinson’s Gene DJ-1 Derails Splicing
Restoring proper gene editing assuaged mitochondrial defects in patient-derived neurons and organoids. Splicing errors may underlie other PD cases as well.
Micro Nudge? Positive Phase 2 Results for ALS Combination Drug
AMX0035, a mix of sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol, slowed functional decline over six months by about as much as the approved ALS drug edaravone.
In ALS and FTD, Two Different Routes to TDP-43 Aggregation
A C9ORF72 polydipeptide repeat induces aggregation by direct interaction with TDP-43, while progranulin mutations that trigger microglial toxicity cause TDP-43 to accumulate via complement.
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
Behold, the Coarse-Grained Plaque
Pathologists have newly characterized a beefy type of plaque that seems distinct from cotton-wool and dense-core plaques. Coarse-grained plaques, as they are called, can grow to be a tenth of a millimeter across. They associate with blood vessels and are more common in early onset AD and in people who carry two copies of ApoE4. They could help researchers understand the origin of amyloid plaques.
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Could Contaminated Scalpels Seed Amyloidosis?
The evidence for neurosurgical transfer of amyloid seeds is sparse and circumstantial at best, according to a new white paper by 37 experts in the field. However, they believe the issue deserves more study. In the meantime, the authors recommend neurosurgeons use separate instruments to operate on young and old patients.
Forget Memory. Chinese Symbol Test Unmasks Learning Deficit in Preclinical Alzheimer’s
Memory problems in the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease are notoriously subtle and difficult to pick up. Problems with learning something new are much more pronounced, according to a new study—at least if that something new is Chinese. Scientists evaluating a new six-day cognitive test report that otherwise asymptomatic people learned the meaning of 50 Chinese characters much more slowly if they had amyloid in their brain. The test might become a sensitive tool in clinical trials of early AD.
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