Your brain might already be fighting Alzheimer's, scientists discover
Scientists just found that microglia—your brain's own immune cells—can actually help slow down Alzheimer's disease.
These tiny defenders cut down on inflammation and stop toxic proteins from piling up, based on research using mice, human cells, and actual brain samples.
The magic combo
Turns out, the most helpful microglia have less PU.1 (a certain protein) and more of a receptor called CD28.
When researchers lowered PU.1, the microglia boosted their protective powers by making more CD28—helping keep inflammation low and blocking those harmful proteins linked to memory loss.
Potential therapies on the horizon
CD28 is key: without it, brains got sicker faster in the study.
Knowing how this PU.1-CD28 combo works could lead to new therapies that boost our natural brain defenses against Alzheimer's—offering some hope for better treatments down the line.