Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have made an important discovery about Alzheimer’s disease.
For years, most Alzheimer’s research has focused on two brain proteins called amyloid and tau. These proteins form harmful clumps in the brain and are believed to cause memory loss.
But this new study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, suggests that something else might be just as important—or even more important—when it comes to the symptoms many Alzheimer’s patients face.
The study shows that brain inflammation might actually be the main reason behind common neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s, like mood swings, anxiety, irritability, depression, and trouble sleeping. These symptoms are very difficult to treat and can place a huge emotional strain on both patients and caregivers.
Dr. Cristiano Aguzzoli, the first author of the study, explained that these behavioral symptoms often appear early in the disease and are hard to manage. Until now, doctors didn’t fully understand why they happened. This study helps connect the dots by showing that inflammation in the brain plays a big role.
This new research builds on earlier work from the same team. In 2023, the researchers already suspected that neuroinflammation—excessive inflammation in the brain—was a key factor in Alzheimer’s, alongside amyloid and tau proteins.
Now, they have strong evidence showing that inflammation is directly linked to the behavioral symptoms that affect patients’ quality of life.
In this study, the researchers looked at 109 elderly people. Most of them had no signs of memory problems but tested positive for amyloid and tau in their brains. Using advanced brain scans and health checks, the researchers measured a type of inflammation known as microglial activation.
Microglia are brain cells that act like the brain’s immune system. When they become too active, they can cause inflammation.
The team found that people with higher levels of microglial activation had more severe neuropsychiatric symptoms. These included trouble sleeping, rapid mood changes, and agitation. Caregivers often reported that patients with higher inflammation levels had more frequent emotional outbursts and mood swings.
This discovery is important because it shows a new direction for treatment. Instead of just trying to remove amyloid and tau proteins, doctors might be able to help patients by reducing inflammation in the brain. Drugs that target this inflammation could ease the emotional and behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s and make life easier for caregivers too.
The study also has implications for other forms of dementia. Similar symptoms and inflammation patterns are found in diseases like Parkinson’s dementia. That’s why the researchers, led by senior author Dr. Tharick Pascoal, plan to work with scientists around the world to see if their findings apply to other brain diseases.
In short, this research could change how we treat Alzheimer’s. By focusing on brain inflammation, doctors may find better ways to support patients and their families. Treatments that calm the brain’s immune response could improve not just memory but also mood and behavior.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, you may also want to read about how vitamin D deficiency could raise the risk of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. Some studies suggest that oral cannabis extract might help with symptoms.
Others have shown that a lack of vitamin B9 is linked to higher dementia risk, and eating foods rich in flavonoids could even help people with Parkinson’s live longer.
These new findings from the University of Pittsburgh were published in JAMA Network Open.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
