Early signs of Alzheimer's detected in cerebrospinal fluid
The scientists headed by Prof . Christian Haass and Prof. Michael Ewers were able to detect an increasing immune activity of the brain by measuring levels of the protein "TREM2" in the cerebrospinal fluid. TREM2 is segregated by certain immune cells of the brain -- called microglia -- and thus reflects their activity. In cases of the inherited form of Alzheimer's disease, the timing for the onset of dementia can be precisely predicted. The researchers were therefore able to monitor the rise of TREM2 levels years before the expected occurrence of dementia symptoms. "The activity of the microglia is stimulated by dying brain cells, not by the deposits of amyloid proteins, called plaques, which also occur in Alzheimer's disease," Haass notes. "The microglia may have a protective function, which however comes to a standstill as the disease progresses. We are therefore searching for drugs to increase the activity of the microglia." Part of the ...