Scientists reprogram brain immune cells to fight Alzheimer’s

Spanish and Swiss researchers have identified an experimental molecule called OLE that helps restore the brain's natural defenses against Alzheimer's disease. The molecule OLE reprograms microglia, the brain's immune cells, allowing them to regain their protective abilities. In animal studies, OLE helped microglia surround and contain beta-amyloid plaques, reducing their size and harmful effects. Treated animals showed better performance on memory tests and had fewer beta-amyloid plaques than untreated animals. The research was led by José Vicente Sánchez Mut from the Institute for Neurosciences in Spain and Johannes Gräff from the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School. The findings were published in the journal Cell Death and Disease and are protected by two European patents.