Dementia is a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It leads to memory problems, confusion, and difficulty with everyday tasks. While scientists have been studying dementia for years, they still don’t fully understand what causes it, and there is currently no cure.
However, a new study from researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine is offering fresh insights. Their research suggests that certain brain cells, called astrocytes, may play a bigger role in memory loss than previously thought.
Astrocytes are star-shaped cells in the brain that help support neurons, which are the main cells responsible for thinking and memory. Until now, scientists believed that neurons were the key players in dementia, while astrocytes only had a supporting role. But this new study shows that problems with astrocytes alone can lead to memory loss, even if the neurons remain healthy.
The researchers discovered that a protein called TDP-43 was building up inside astrocytes in a part of the brain called the hippocampus. This area is crucial for memory. When they examined brain tissue from people who had Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia, they found the same protein buildup in astrocytes.
To test what this meant, they conducted experiments with mice. When TDP-43 accumulated in astrocytes, the mice developed memory problems, even though their neurons were still healthy. The scientists also studied brain cells grown in the lab and found similar results.
A surprising discovery was that these astrocytes were acting as if they were fighting a virus, even though no virus was present. The astrocytes started producing too many immune signals, called chemokines, which then affected neurons. This made the neurons overly active, leading to problems with memory.
This finding is important because it suggests that dementia may not just be about damaged neurons—it could also be caused by immune system problems inside astrocytes. If scientists can figure out how to stop these astrocytes from overreacting, they may be able to slow down or even prevent memory loss.
One possible treatment involves drugs that block a specific immune receptor called CXCR3. These drugs are already being tested for other diseases like arthritis. If they prove effective, they could be repurposed for dementia treatment.
While researchers continue studying dementia, there are steps people can take to keep their brains healthy:
- Exercise regularly – Physical activity helps improve blood flow to the brain and can reduce the risk of dementia.
- Eat a healthy diet – Foods rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, like the Mediterranean diet, have been linked to better brain health.
- Stay mentally active – Reading, solving puzzles, and learning new skills can help keep the brain sharp.
- Be socially engaged – Spending time with family and friends or joining community activities can improve mental health and protect against cognitive decline.
- Get enough sleep – Poor sleep can lead to memory problems, so it’s important to get enough rest.
- Manage stress – Long-term stress can harm the brain, so relaxation techniques like meditation or hobbies can be helpful.
- Control chronic conditions – Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can increase dementia risk, so managing them is important.
This new research, led by Dr. Avital Licht-Murava and published in Science Advances, provides a better understanding of how dementia develops. It also opens new possibilities for treatments that could target astrocytes to protect memory and brain function.
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