Baylor College of Medicine Researchers Discover New Method to Clear Alzheimer's Plaques in Mice
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a novel method to activate a natural cleanup mechanism in the brain, which effectively removes amyloid plaques and preserves memory in mice. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, focuses on astrocytes, which are star-shaped support cells in the brain. These cells, which outnumber neurons, have been less studied historically. The research led by Dr. Dong-Joo Choi and Dr. Benjamin Deneen, highlights the role of the protein Sox9 in regulating gene activity in aging astrocytes. By increasing Sox9 levels in mice with memory loss and plaque buildup, the researchers found that astrocytes could clear amyloid deposits, reducing plaque burden and stabilizing cognitive function over a six-month period. This approach, if validated in human trials, could offer a new therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease. 
