A new strategy to reverse cognitive decline via myeloid cells

Neuroinflammation was linked to neu-rodegenerative diseases long ago,but no related treatment has proven effective.A new study unveils the inflammatory links between microglia and cognitive decline,providing new idea for the treatment of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease early diagnostic and staging biomarkers revealed by large-scale cerebrospinal fluid and serum proteomic profiling

Amyloid-b,tau pathology,and biomarkers of neurodegeneration make up the core diagnostic biomarkers of Alzheimer disease(AD).However,these proteins represent only a fraction of the complex biological processes underlying AD,and individuals with other brain diseases in which AD pathology is a comorbidity also test positive for these diagnostic biomarkers.More ADspecific early diagnostic and disease staging biomarkers are needed.In this study,we performed tandem mass tag proteomic analysis of paired cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)and serum samples in a discovery cohort comprising 98 participants.Candidate biomarkers were validated by parallel reaction monitoring–based targeted proteomic assays in an independent multicenter cohort comprising 288 participants.We quantified 3,238 CSF and 1,702 serum proteins in the discovery cohort,identifying 171 and 860 CSF proteins and 37 and 323 serum proteins as potential early diagnostic and staging biomarkers,respectively.In the validation cohort,58 and 21 CSF proteins,as well as 12 and 18 serum proteins,were verified as early diagnostic and staging biomarkers,respectively.Separate 19-protein CSF and an 8-protein serum biomarker panels were built by machine learning to accurately classify mild cognitive impairment(MCI)due to AD from normal cognition with areas under the curve of 0.984 and 0.881,respectively.The 19-protein CSF biomarker panel also effectively discriminated patients with MCI due to AD from patients with other neurodegenerative diseases.Moreover,we identified 21 CSF and 18 serum stage-associated proteins re-flecting AD stages.Our findings provide a foundation for developing bloodbased tests for AD screening and staging in clinical practice.

Alterations of Audiovisual Integration in Alzheimer’s Disease

Audiovisual integration is a vital information process involved in cognition and is closely correlated with aging and Alzheimer’s disease(AD).In this review,we evaluated the altered audiovisual integrative behavioral symptoms in AD.We further analyzed the relationships between AD pathologies and audiovisual integration alterations bidirectionally and suggested the possible mechanisms of audiovisual integration alterations underlying AD,including the imbalance between energy demand and supply,activity-dependent degeneration,disrupted brain networks,and cognitive resource overloading.Then,based on the clinical characteristics including electrophysiological and imaging data related to audiovisual integration,we emphasized the value of audiovisual integration alterations as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis and progression of AD.We also highlighted that treatments targeted audiovisual integration contributed to widespread pathological improvements in AD animal models and cognitive improvements in AD patients.Moreover,investigation into audiovisual integration alterations in AD also provided new insights and comprehension about sensory information processes.

Critical thinking of Alzheimer's transgenic mouse model:current research and future perspective

Transgenic models are useful tools for studying the pathogenesis of and drug development for Alzheimer's Disease(AD).AD models are constructed usually using overexpression or knock-in of multiple pathogenic gene mutations from familial AD.Each transgenic model has its unique behavioral and pathological features.This review summarizes the research progress of transgenic mouse models,and their progress in the unique mechanism of amyloid-βoligomers,including the first transgenic mouse model built in China based on a single gene mutation(PSEN1 V97L)found in Chinese familial AD.We further summarized the preclinical findings of drugs using the models,and their future application in exploring the upstream mechanisms and multi-target drug development in AD.

Preserving cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease:The Alzheimer's disease neuroprotection research initiative(ADNRI)

The global trend toward aging populations has resulted in an increase in the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease(AD)and associated socioeconomic burdens.Abnormal metabolism of amyloid-β(Aβ)has been proposed as a significant pathomechanism in AD,supported by results of recent clinical trials using anti-Aβantibodies.Nonetheless,the cognitive benefits of the current treatments are limited.The etiology of AD is multifactorial,encompassing Aβand tau accumulation,neuroinflammation,demyelination,vascular dysfunction,and comorbidities,which collectively lead to widespread neurodegeneration in the brain and cognitive impairment.Hence,solely removing Aβfrom the brain may be insufficient to combat neurodegeneration and preserve cognition.To attain effective treatment for AD,it is necessary to(1)conduct extensive research on various mechanisms that cause neurodegeneration,including advances in neuroimaging techniques for earlier detection and a more precise characterization of molecular events at scales ranging from cellular to the full system level;(2)identify neuroprotective intervention targets against different neurodegeneration mechanisms;and(3)discover novel and optimal combinations of neuroprotective intervention strategies to maintain cognitive function in AD patients.The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroprotection Research Initiative's objective is to facilitate coordinated,multidisciplinary efforts to develop systemic neuroprotective strategies to combat AD.The aim is to achieve mitigation of the full spectrum of pathological processes underlying AD,with the goal of halting or even reversing cognitive decline.

Genetic Phenotypes of Alzheimer’s Disease:Mechanisms and Potential Therapy

Years of intensive research has brought us extensive knowledge on the genetic and molecular factors involved in Alzheimer's disease(AD).In addition to the mutations in the three main causative genes of familial AD(FAD)including presenilins and amyloid precursor protein genes,studies have identified several genes as the most plausible genes for the onset and progression of FAD,such as triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2,sortilin-related receptor 1,and adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter subfamily A member 7.The apolipoprotein Eε4 allele is reported to be the strongest genetic risk factor for sporadic AD(SAD),and it also plays an important role in FAD.Here,we reviewed recent developments in genetic and molecular studies that contributed to the understanding of the genetic phenotypes of FAD and compared them with SAD.We further reviewed the advancements in AD gene therapy and discussed the future perspectives based on the genetic phenotypes.

阿尔茨海默病现状及展望

Aging is an undeniable fact of life and the global population is aging to a historically unprecedented degree. The population aged65 years or older comprises 750 million people, representing nearly 10%of the global population. As a result of prolonged life expectancy and falling mortality rates, China has become one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world, even surpassing several high-income countries in North America and Europe.