Higher blood levels of the protein cathepsin B were linked to lower lesion volume, with an association estimate of minus 0.09 in 5,260 people.Higher blood levels of the protein cathepsin B were linked to lower lesion volume, with an association estimate of minus 0.09 in 5,260 people.
Cohort study of 5,260 UK Biobank participantsMechanisms
Limit: The postmortem comparison supporting lesion-related cathepsin B changes involved only eight samples
Researchers followed three-month-old and 18-month-old mice through seven days after sepsis; aged mice showed altered nesting and social behaviour despite comparable…Researchers followed three-month-old and 18-month-old mice through seven days after sepsis; aged mice showed altered nesting and social behaviour despite comparable illness severity.
Experiments in young and aged mice, against young mice with comparable illness severityInflammation
Limit: Brain measurements could have missed earlier inflammation contributing to behavioral changes
A three-year observational study of 226 middle-aged people at increased Alzheimer’s risk linked traffic pollution to rising markers of brain-support cells and…A three-year observational study of 226 middle-aged people at increased Alzheimer’s risk linked traffic pollution to rising markers of brain-support cells and inflammation.
Cohort study of 226 cognitively unimpaired adults at increased AD risk, 3-year follow-upInflammation
Limit: Only 88 men versus 138 women may have limited detection of associations in men
An experiment in Alzheimer's disease mice found that the system also restored new neuron formation in a brain region involved in memory.An experiment in Alzheimer's disease mice found that the system also restored new neuron formation in a brain region involved in memory.
Experiments in 5XFAD mice at 8 months of age, against the control groupInterventions
Limit: Only six mice per group in the behavioral studies
In experiments, aged mice lacking the protein showed stronger age-linked brain cell activation, but no obvious loss of nerve insulation or faster decline in movement.In experiments, aged mice lacking the protein showed stronger age-linked brain cell activation, but no obvious loss of nerve insulation or faster decline in movement.
Experiments in adult and aged mice, against aged control miceMechanisms
Limit: The experiments did not distinguish adaptive activation from early, compensated persistent activation
A 12-month experiment in female mice modelling Alzheimer’s disease found fewer plaques in the brain’s outer layer after stomach-reducing surgery than after a comparison…A 12-month experiment in female mice modelling Alzheimer’s disease found fewer plaques in the brain’s outer layer after stomach-reducing surgery than after a comparison operation.
Experiments in female 3xTg-AD mice, 12 months, against sham-operated miceAlzheimer's disease
Limit: High mortality restricted Western-diet plaque analyses to survivors, potentially biasing the apparent benefit
An observational analysis of human brain tissue compared gene activity and cell proportions across normal cognition, disease-related aging and dementia.An observational analysis of human brain tissue compared gene activity and cell proportions across normal cognition, disease-related aging and dementia.