Discovery of a new role for brain immune cells may have an impact on Alzheimer's disease

The researchers said that in addition to revealing a new aspect of human biology, these findings may have important implications for diseases related to cerebral small blood vessel diseases, such as cognitive decline, dementia, and stroke

"Precise blood vessel function is essential to regulate the extreme energy demands of the normal function of the brain," said Dr.

The role of microglia

Scientists already know that microglia play many important roles in the brain

However, scientists have not been sure what role microglia play in maintaining normal, healthy blood vessels in the brain

UVA researchers discovered microglia associated with brain capillaries, determined the role of immune cells there, and revealed what controls these interactions

"Researchers have been studying these cells in living brains for more than 20 years, but this is the first time we have been able to understand the mechanism of microglia-vascular interaction," said Eyo, a top expert on microglia

Researchers believe that their new findings may have important implications for diseases that affect small blood vessels in the brain

"We are expanding this research into the context of Alzheimer's disease in rodents to explore whether the novel phenomenon changes the mouse model of disease and the mechanism of determining the target.

Journal Reference :

1. Kanchan Bisht, Kenneth A.