Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miaomiao Wang, Gan Tang, Congfa Zhou, Hongmin Guo, Zihui Hu, Qixing Hu, Guilin Li
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by chronic neuroinflammation, amyloid beta-protein deposition, and hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Neuroinflammation and microglial activation play significant roles in AD, contributing to neuronal dysfunction and disease progression. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, accelerates AD by promoting abnormal microglial activation and neuronal dysfunction. Iron dysregulation and neuronal ferroptosis aggravate neuroinflammation and abnormal microglial activation, creating a vicious cycle. This review explores the relationship between ferroptosis, microglia, and AD, emphasizing the role of ferroptosis in chronic neuroinflammation and providing new insights for potential therapeutic targets.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yanaika. S. S. Hok-A-Hin, Marta del Campo, Walter. A. A. Boiten, Erik Stoops, Melanie Vanhooren, Afina. W. W. Lemstra, Wiesje. M. M. van der Flier, Charlotte. E. E. Teunissen
Summary: The proteins MIF and sTREM1 show different levels of expression in different stages of Alzheimer's disease, and they are associated with tau pathology and inflammation. These neuroinflammatory markers could be useful in clinical trials to monitor the dynamics of inflammatory responses or the efficacy of inflammatory modulating drugs.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oscar M. Munoz M. Herrera, Angela M. M. Zivkovic
Summary: Cholesterol plays a crucial role in brain function and structure, and its dysregulation has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. While the regulation and dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism and transport in neurons and astrocytes are well-studied, less is known about how microglia, the immune cells of the brain, handle cholesterol and how this affects their functions. This review discusses the role of cholesterol in regulating microglia phenotype and function, the effects of statins on microglia, and highlights areas for future research to develop novel therapies for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania Merighi, Manuela Nigro, Alessia Travagli, Stefania Gessi
Summary: Neuroinflammation may be a crucial avenue for treating and preventing Alzheimer's disease, with microglia playing a key role in the disease process but potentially becoming impaired in later stages. It is important to identify new biomarkers to assess microglial activity and develop novel therapies to restore their physiological function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oscar Munoz M. Herrera, Brian V. V. Hong, Ulises Ruiz Mendiola, Izumi Maezawa, Lee-Way Jin, Carlito B. Lebrilla, Danielle J. Harvey, Angela M. Zivkovic
Summary: Research has shown that specific genes in microglia are highly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and microglia play a critical role in the development of AD. Therefore, microglia are an important target for novel AD treatment approaches. A study used a multi-stimulant approach to examine the human microglia cell 3 (HMC3) cell line's ability to replicate dysfunctional microglia characteristics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bartolo Tamburini, Giusto Davide Badami, Marco Pio La Manna, Mojtaba Shekarkar Azgomi, Nadia Caccamo, Francesco Dieli
Summary: The inflammatory response in Alzheimer's disease has both protective and harmful effects. Microglia initially play a protective role but can become overactivated, leading to impaired clearance of β-amyloid peptides and neurodegeneration. Microglia also contribute to the spread of tau pathology. Elevated levels of soluble TREM2 in cerebrospinal fluid are associated with amyloid plaque burden, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline. Understanding the relationship between innate immunity and Alzheimer's disease could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, but further studies are needed for effective treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Eun Sun Jung, Kyujin Suh, Jihui Han, Heyyoung Kim, Hyung-Sik Kang, Won-Seok Choi, Inhee Mook-Jung
Summary: The study reveals that amyloid-beta activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia by activating Syk and inhibiting AMPK, leading to neuroinflammation. Additionally, flufenamic acid (FA), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, effectively inhibits microglial activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by regulating Syk and AMPK, offering a potential treatment for AD.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jeremy Lefort-Besnard, Mikael Naveau, Nicolas Delcroix, Leslie Marion Decker, Fabien Cignetti
Summary: There is increasing evidence of different subtypes of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In this study, MCI participants were divided into three neuropsychological subgroups. The study found specific predictive features that can differentiate different subgroups and cognitively normal individuals. The comprehensive data analytics strategy provides further evidence of the clinical and neurobiological significance of multimodal neuropsychological subtyping.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lorenzo Barba, Samir Abu Rumeileh, Giovanni Bellomo, Federico Paolini Paoletti, Steffen Halbgebauer, Patrick Oeckl, Petra Steinacker, Federico Massa, Lorenzo Gaetani, Lucilla Parnetti, Markus Otto
Summary: This study found that beta-syn levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) increase in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia stages. In contrast, the behavior of other synaptic biomarkers, such as alpha-syn, and biomarkers of neuro-axonal damage, such as NfL and t-tau, is different. CSF beta-syn has the best diagnostic performance for distinguishing pre-AD patients from non-AD patients.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Jemma Hazan, Michelle Wing, Kathy Y. Liu, Suzanne Reeves, Robert Howard
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients with cognitive impairment. The meta-analysis showed that the use of CSF biomarkers led to changes in diagnosis, increased diagnostic confidence, and influenced patient management. Further research is needed to explore the clinical utility of blood-based biomarkers.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vasileios Papaliagkas, Kallirhoe Kalinderi, Patroklos Vareltzis, Despoina Moraitou, Theodora Papamitsou, Maria Chatzidimitriou
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a rapidly growing disease that urgently requires early diagnosis and treatment. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which directly contacts the brain's extracellular space, is the most useful biological fluid for reflecting molecular events in the brain. Proteins and molecules that reflect the pathogenesis of AD, including neurodegeneration, accumulation of Abeta, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and apoptosis, can be used as biomarkers. The most commonly used CSF biomarkers for AD are total tau, phospho-tau, and Abeta42.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shiden Solomon, Nirmal Kumar Sampathkumar, Ivo Carre, Mrityunjoy Mondal, George Chennell, Anthony C. Vernon, Marc-David Ruepp, Jacqueline Mitchell
Summary: The rare coding variant PLC gamma 2 (P522R) has been found to protect against late-onset Alzheimer's disease by increasing microglial clearance of amyloid beta and preserving synapses. The variant also leads to alterations in gene expression and mitochondrial function. However, an increased dose of PLC gamma 2 (P522R) can result in reduced beneficial impacts.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amit Pal, Isha Rani, Anil Pawar, Mario Picozza, Mauro Rongioletti, Rosanna Squitti
Summary: This review discusses the involvement of copper in microglia and astrocytes during the course of Alzheimer's disease, providing an updated discussion on the toxicity induced by an imbalance of copper.
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Hui-Zhi Long, Zi-Wei Zhou, Yan Cheng, Hong-Yu Luo, Feng-Jiao Li, Shuo-Guo Xu, Li-Chen Gao
Summary: This study discusses the role of microglia in Alzheimer's disease (AD), including immune-inflammatory pathology and iron metabolism disorders. The research is important for understanding the role of microglia in iron metabolism in AD and discovering new potential therapeutic targets for the disease.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Rebecca Wright
Summary: Disruption of lysosomal signaling leads to increased tau pathology and defective microglia activation.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Alexander Gardner, Po-Wah So, Guy Carpenter
EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Azhaar Ashraf, Jerome Jeandriens, Harold G. Parkes, Po-Wah So
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander Gardner, Guy Carpenter, Po-Wah So
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
A. Gardner, P. W. So, G. H. Carpenter
JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Azhaar Ashraf, Nicholas J. Ashton, Pratishtha Chatterjee, Kathryn Goozee, Kai-Kai Shen, Jurgen Fripp, David Ames, Christopher Rowe, Colin L. Masters, Victor Villemagne, Abdul Hye, Ralph Nigel Martins, Po-Wah So
ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2020)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Azhaar Ashraf, Po-Wah So
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Azhaar A. Ashraf, Melanie Dani, Po-Wah So
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Paul Cressey, Maral Amrahli, Po-Wah So, Wladyslaw Gedroyc, Michael Wright, Maya Thanou
Summary: Triggerable nanocarriers have the potential to improve the therapeutic index of existing anticancer agents by enabling localized delivery and release of therapeutic cargos. In this study, the first co-delivery of SN-38 and carboplatin was achieved using an MRI-visible thermosensitive liposome, showing both thermosensitivity and MR-imageability. The co-delivery resulted in significant improvements in anti-tumor activity in triple negative breast cancer xenografts tumors in mice.
Article
Neurosciences
Sara Lorio, Jan Sedlacik, Po-Wah So, Harold G. Parkes, Roxana Gunny, Ulrike Lobel, Yao-Feng Li, Olumide Ogunbiyi, Talisa Mistry, Emma Dixon, Sophie Adler, J. Helen Cross, Torsten Baldeweg, Thomas S. Jacques, Karin Shmueli, David W. Carmichael
Summary: This study investigated cortical tissue alterations in children with focal epilepsy using QSM technique, revealing that reductions in susceptibility in FCDIIb lesions were associated with changes in iron and calcium content. QSM improved lesion visibility compared to traditional imaging methods, and age-related changes in brain regions were observed as expected.
Letter
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Laura Bortolotti, Elisabeth S. Pickles, Aine T. Dineen, Priyanka Sakhabalkar, Patrick S. Fuchs, Clementine Lesbats, Po-Wah So, James T. Grist
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deborah Inyang, Tasneem Saumtally, Chinelo Nonyerem Nnadi, Sharmila Devi, Po-Wah So
Summary: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairment and specific neuropathological changes. Capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, has shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential neuroprotective properties. Studies have suggested that capsaicin intake may improve cognitive function and reduce tau pathology in AD. This systematic review discusses the potential benefits of capsaicin in improving AD pathology and symptoms based on studies using animal models and cell cultures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aurea Cartanya-Hueso, Benito de Celis Alonso, Silvia Sandra Hidalgo Tobon, America Liliana Miranda Lora, Miguel Kluender Klunder, Briceida Lopez Martinez, Pilar Dies Suarez, Eduardo Barragan Perez, Po-Wah So, Juana Maria Delgado-Saborit
Summary: This study examines the association between greenspace exposure and cognitive performance in pre-pubertal boys living in Mexico City. The results show that greater exposure to greenness is positively associated with higher perceptual reasoning skills. These findings suggest the importance of increasing vegetation in urban areas, especially in neighborhoods with young children.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Huzefa Rupawala, Keshvi Shah, Caitlin Davies, Jamie Rose, Marti Colom-Cadena, Xianhui Peng, Lucy Granat, Manal Aljuhani, Keiko Mizuno, Claire Troakes, Beatriz Gomez Perez-Nievas, Alan Morgan, Po-Wah So, Tibor Hortobagyi, Tara L. Spires-Jones, Wendy Noble, Karl Peter Giese
Summary: The research indicates that cysteine string protein alpha may be a more sensitive marker for early synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Accumulations of cysteine string protein alpha are associated with beta-amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
BRAIN COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)