Discovering the Link: Iron Accumulation, Immune Cell Death, and Dementia – Promising Breakthrough for New Drug Development

2023-09-22 14:13:00

Scientists at Oregon Health and Science University have found that in Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, immune cells in the brain die due to iron accumulation. The discovery will help develop new types of drugs against dementia.

How it conveys Vesti.az with reference to Gazeta.ru, the results of the study were published in the journal Annals of Neurology.

Microglia are immune cells that are responsible for removing cellular waste and malfunctioning cells from the brain. One of its functions is to remove waste from damage to myelin, which serves as a protective covering for nerve fibers.

In a new study, scientists examined brain tissue from people who suffered from dementia during their lifetime. They found that microglia are destroyed when they get rid of iron-rich myelin. Scientists believe that microglial degeneration may be a factor in more pronounced cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

The authors noted that more research is needed to learn more about microglia function and to develop drugs aimed at preserving it.

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