Dementia is a difficult condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It causes problems with memory, thinking, and everyday tasks.
While scientists have studied it for many years, they still don’t fully understand what causes it, and there is no cure yet.
But new research from Weill Cornell Medicine is giving us a fresh perspective. The study focuses not on the brain’s main cells, neurons, but on support cells called astrocytes. Astrocytes are star-shaped cells in the brain.
For a long time, they were seen as helpers—supporting the neurons that send signals. Until now, most dementia research focused on the neurons themselves.
But this new study shows that astrocytes may play a much bigger role than we thought.
The researchers found that when a protein called TDP-43 builds up inside astrocytes, it can cause memory problems—even when the neurons are still healthy. This was a surprising discovery. The buildup of this protein was found in the brains of people who had died from Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia, another form of the condition.
To understand more, scientists studied mice and brain cells in the lab. They found that when TDP-43 built up in astrocytes, the mice started to lose their memory, even though their other behaviors stayed the same. This showed that changes in astrocytes alone could lead to memory loss.
The research also found that these damaged astrocytes became overly active in a strange way. They started turning on antiviral genes, even though there were no viruses present. They also released a large number of chemical messengers called chemokines.
These messengers then activated something called CXCR3 receptors on neurons in the memory center of the brain (the hippocampus). This made the neurons too active, and that overactivity led to memory problems.
What’s important about this study is that it shows how brain inflammation—even without infection—can affect memory and thinking. It also points to new treatment ideas.
One option could be blocking the CXCR3 receptors to protect brain function. Medicines that block these receptors are already being tested for other diseases, like arthritis. They might now be useful for treating dementia, too.
While this research is still early, it opens new doors to understanding dementia and finding treatments that go beyond just protecting neurons. It reminds us that the brain is a complex system, and many different types of cells can affect how it works.
In the meantime, there are things people can do to help protect their brain health. Scientists recommend several healthy habits that may reduce the risk of cognitive decline:
Exercise regularly. Staying active keeps blood flowing to the brain and supports memory and thinking.
Eat a healthy diet. Foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats—such as in the Mediterranean diet—can support brain health.
Keep your brain busy. Reading, puzzles, and learning new things help keep the mind sharp.
Stay social. Talking to friends and taking part in community activities can protect mental health.
Get good sleep. Poor sleep can harm memory and thinking.
Handle stress. Too much stress can hurt the brain, so finding ways to relax is important.
Manage other health problems. High blood pressure, diabetes, and other long-term conditions can raise the risk of dementia, so keeping them under control helps.
This research, led by Avital Licht-Murava and published in Science Advances, gives us hope. It shows that understanding how all parts of the brain work together can lead to better ways of treating and preventing dementia. And it reminds us that taking care of our whole body—including our heart, our sleep, and our stress—can also protect our mind.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about dietary strategies to ward off dementia, and how omega-3 fatty acids fuel your mind.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Choline deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and what to eat (and avoid) for dementia prevention.
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