Baylor College of Medicine Unveils New Alzheimer's Treatment Strategy Targeting Astrocytes
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a novel approach to combat Alzheimer's disease by enhancing the brain's natural cleanup system. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, focuses on astrocytes, star-shaped support cells in the brain, which play a crucial role in maintaining brain stability and memory storage. The research team, led by Dr. Dong-Joo Choi and Dr. Benjamin Deneen, found that increasing the levels of a protein called Sox9 in mice with Alzheimer's symptoms activated astrocytes to clear harmful amyloid plaques. This process, known as phagocytosis, was facilitated by a receptor called MEGF10, which Sox9 helps regulate. The study demonstrated that boosting Sox9 levels reduced plaque accumulation and preserved cognitive function in mice over six months.