Alzheimer’s research turns to the brain’s immune cells, and to habits

Mouse studies point to immune cells, while a study in people links walking to slower decline.

Several studies published this week look at Alzheimer’s disease from angles other than the protein deposits long at the centre of research.

Two point to the brain’s own immune cells. In mice, blocking immune cells that help destroy neurons kept roughly 40% more tissue in memory centres and improved memory, even though the harmful tau protein was not removed ^[1]. In another mouse study, temporarily removing overactive immune cells restored more than two hours of sleep a day, a loss of sleep linked to the disease ^[2].

In people, walking about 3,000 steps a day was linked to less build-up of tau and to nearly half the decline in thinking and daily functioning, even among those already showing early signs of the disease ^[3].

A fourth study looked at people who carry a high genetic risk of Alzheimer’s yet stay sharp into their eighties, and found a rare mutation that protects the brain from harmful protein build-up ^[4]. It could point to treatments that mimic this natural protection ^[4].

The immune-cell findings come from mice; they have not yet been shown in people ^[1][2].

Sources

1. Scientists find a way to fight Alzheimer’s brain damage without removing toxic tauScienceDaily · Mind & Brain · sciencedaily.com
2. "Mind-blowing" Alzheimer’s breakthrough: Two hours of sleep restored without clearing brain plaquesScienceDaily · Mind & Brain · sciencedaily.com
3. Just 3,000 steps a day may help slow Alzheimer's, scientists findScienceDaily · Mind & Brain · sciencedaily.com
4. Why some people escape Alzheimer’s despite carrying a high-risk geneScienceDaily · Mind & Brain · sciencedaily.com