IMMUNE CELLS' FAT BLOCKS BRAIN'S ABILITY TO CLEAN ALZHEIMER'S PLAQUES

A new finding that microglia sacrifice their protective immune function in exchange for lipid safety may be a key step in Alzheimer's progression

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Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder and a form of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. As symptoms become more severe, the disease can seriously affect a person's ability to perform tasks that would otherwise be deemed routine, like brushing teeth, making a meal or even recognising family members.

For many years, the leading theory has been that Alzheimer's is caused when two harmful proteins called amyloid-beta and tau accumulate in the brain. This pileup sets off a chain of events, eventually damaging nerve cells and leading to memory loss, confusion, and mood changes. This destruction doesn't happen overnight. It begins years, even decades before symptoms appear.

In 2021, an estimated 57 million people worldwide were affected by dementia, with Alzheimer's contributing to 60-70% of the cases. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's but there are treatments that can slow symptoms and improve quality of life.

All you need to know about: Alzheimer's disease

It isn't surprising that in the ongoing search for answers, scientists are increasingly turning their attention from neurons to their lesser-known but equally critical neighbours: microglia, the brain's resident immune cells.

In a new study published in Immunity, researchers led by Gaurav Chopra at Purdue University have uncovered how fat metabolism in microglia may be a key driver of disease progression.

"This study is pretty interesting and part of a growing body of studies indicating the role of fat metabolism problems in cells around amyloid plaques," Indian Institute of Science professor Deepak Nair said.

The lipid link